Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, << SEHN uh kuh, LOO shih uhs ah NEE uhs >> (4 B.C.?-A.D. 65), was a Roman statesman, author, and Stoic philosopher. He was born in Spain to a wealthy Roman family. Often called Seneca the Younger, he was the son of Roman author Seneca the Elder.
Seneca became prominent in political and literary life in Rome. He served as tutor to Nero, who became emperor in A.D. 54. Seneca and Burrus, a military leader, became Nero’s leading political advisers. After Burrus died in 62, Seneca retired and pursued philosophy. However, Nero accused Seneca of plotting his death and forced him to commit suicide.
Seneca’s tragedies adapt subjects used by the Greek playwrights. They influenced tragic drama in Italy, France, and Elizabethan England. He also wrote works on natural science and Stoic philosophy.
