Seneca: De Clementia

by Susanna Braund (Editor)

Overview

Soon after Nero's accession in 54 CE, his tutor, the philosopher Seneca, addressed to his young pupil an essay called De Clementia in which he offered advice on how to behave in his new role. This is the first full philological edition of the De Clementia in English. It includes the text with apparatus criticus, a new translation, a substantial introduction, and detailed commentary on matters of textual criticism, literary criticism and issues of socio-political, historical, cultural, and philosophical significance. The notes illuminate Seneca's language and thought through extensive citation of parallel passages from his other writings, from those of other imperial Latin authors, and from other relevant texts. The introduction includes discussion of Seneca's life, relationship with Nero, writings, and philosophy; the date, genre, scope, structure, and argument of De Clementia; the concept of clementia; kingship theory in Greek literature and Republican Rome; and the work's afterlife and influence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780191553806
Publisher:	OUP Oxford
Publication date:	02/12/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Susanna Braund is Professor of Latin Poetry and its Reception (Canada Research Chair), University of British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations x

Introduction

Overview 1

1 Seneca's Life, Times, Writings 2

2 Nero's Accession 8

3 De Clementia: Date and Genre 16

4 Kingship Theory 24

5 The Concept of Clementia 30

6 De Clementia: Scope, Structure, Argument 45

7 Seneca as Communicator and Teacher 51

8 Stoic Views on Kingship and Clementia 64

9 Seneca, Stoicism, and Kingship 68

10 The Afterlife and Influence of De Clementia 77

11 The Text and Previous Scholarship 86

12 A Note on my Translation and Commentary 89

Sigla 92

Text and Translation 94

Commentary 153

Appendices

1 Text and Translation of Hildebert, Ep. 1. 3 (= PL 171. 145) 423

2 Translation of Dio 55. 14. 1-22. 2 424

3 The Numismatic Record of Agrippina and Nero's Rise to Power 432

Illustrations 434

Bibliography 438

Index 445

Editorial Reviews

"The commentary is full and wide ranging, with numerous parallels but abundant interesting discussion too. This book should be warmly welcomed as a valuable stimulus to further work on De Clementia." —Classical World

From the Publisher