Week #6- Daily #1- Read Tacitus' description of the Death of Seneca and Book One of M. Aurelius' Meditations. Find quotes within those two texts that help explain what Stoicism is all about. How did the Roman Empire change after the Era of the Soldier Emperors.

Tacitus' description of the Death of Seneca:

“Upon this the tribune asserted that he saw no signs of fear, and perceived no sadness in his words or in his looks.”
This quote states that Seneca remained emotionless upon the knowing of his death.

“Seneca, quite unmoved, asked for tablets on which to inscribe his will, and, on the centurion's refusal, turned to his friends, protesting that as he was forbidden to requite them, he bequeathed to them the only, but still the noblest possession yet remaining to him, the pattern of his life, which, if they remembered, they would win a name for moral worth and steadfast friendship. At the same time he called them back from their tears to manly resolution, now with friendly talk, and now with the sterner language of rebuke.”

Seneca was prepared to die, and he told his friends to stay strong because he wanted the best for them.

“Even at the last moment his eloquence failed him not; he summoned his secretaries, and dictated much to them which, as it has been published for all readers in his own words, I forbear to paraphrase.”

Seneca had a sense of duty, and he even took charge when he discovered his painful fate.

Book One of M. Aurelius' Meditations:

“FROM my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper.”

“I learned endurance of labour, and to want little, and to work with my own hands, and not to meddle with other people's affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander.”

“I learned freedom of will and undeviating steadiness of purpose; and to look to nothing else, not even for a moment, except to reason…”

“I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness; and a just admixture in the moral character of sweetness and dignity, and to do what was set before me without complaining.”

“I observed that everybody believed that he thought as he spoke, and that in all that he did he never had any bad intention; and he never showed amazement and surprise, and was never in a hurry, and never put off doing a thing, nor was perplexed nor dejected, nor did he ever laugh to disguise his vexation, nor, on the other hand, was he ever passionate or suspicious.”

“I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation…”