Seneca



Born around 4 BC in what is known today as Cordoba, Spain, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was the second son of rhetorician Seneca the Elder. He is known informally as Seneca the Younger. He was a Roman Senator, orator, and teacher, but he and the emperor Claudius had a fight, so Claudius exiled him to Corsica. However, Claudius' wife intervened in favor of Seneca and he was allowed to return to Rome in 49. Upon his return, he became Nero's tutor, and, five years later, Nero became emperor. Once Nero took this position, Seneca retired into a more private life so he could concentrate on his writing. However, in the year 65, he was part of an unsuccessful conspiracy against Nero and was ordered to commit suicide. Tacitus recorded his final act in the Annals as a heroic one, as Seneca did comply to the order.