Epictetus was a Roman Stoic philosopher born around 55 CE in Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Turkey). His name means "acquired" in Greek, hinting that he was a former slave. Imagine a guy who started out as a slave and ended up as one of the most influential philosophers—talk about a glow-up!
After gaining his freedom, Epictetus moved to Rome, where he taught philosophy. His teachings emphasized the importance of distinguishing between what we can control and what we cannot. He famously said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters,” a mantra that’s still relevant today!
He had a unique way of teaching, often using dialogues with his students. His ideas were recorded by a student named Arrian in a couple of works: the Discourses and the Enchiridion. The Discourses are lengthy explorations of his thoughts, while the Enchiridion is a handy manual of Stoic wisdom, perfect for those on the go. Both texts remain cornerstone works in Stoic philosophy!
Epictetus emphasized ethics, self-control, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. He believed that true happiness comes from within and cannot be affected by external circumstances. His teachings laid the groundwork for future philosophers and the development of later Stoic thought. Did you know that he had a bit of a rivalry with the famous philosopher Seneca? While they shared many ideas, they had different approaches to Stoicism—Seneca was more of a “let’s enjoy life” kind of guy, while Epictetus was like, “Let’s focus on what we can control!”
Interestingly, Epictetus never wrote down his teachings, relying instead on the notes of his students. So, when you read his work, you’re essentially getting a secondhand account of his brilliance.
Epictetus spent his later years in Nicopolis, Greece, where he established a school that attracted students from all over the Roman Empire. This made him quite the popular philosopher of his time!
His influence continued through the centuries, impacting early Christian thinkers and Renaissance humanists. Even today, modern self-help philosophies echo his teachings. So, if you ever find yourself stressing over things outside your control, just channel your inner Epictetus and remember: it's all about perspective!