Seneca in English

by Seneca, Don Share (Editor)

Envied by Caligula, exiled by Claudius and finally executed by his pupil Nero, the playwright and philosopher Seneca the Younger (c. 4 B.C.-A.D. 65) wrote in a violent, epigrammatic and extreme style which has often seemed excessive to those living in calmer times. This selection of translations, adaptations and variations opens in the 1550s, focuses on the Renaissance and closes in the 1990s, vividly demonstrating Seneca's powerful, continuing presence in English poetry.

Genres: Classics, Poetry

Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca or Seneca the Younger); ca. 4 BC – 65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero, who later forced him to commit suicide for alleged complicity in the Pisonian conspiracy to have him assassinated.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very academic exploration of the works of Seneca translated into English over the centuries. How different generations translated his works and how different poets reused his materials into their own. Very interesting in its own way. The explanations of the hows and whys that he was been both enjoyed and ignored over time were particularly interesting.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not being familiar with many of the dramatic writings of Seneca I struggled a bit with the early renaissance translations but the 19th and 20th century stuff was largely accessible.

Unfortunately for me, well over half of these translations are from the renaissance period.