Seneca ─ Selected Philosophical Letters

'In his translations Inwood beautifully renders the informal tone, and equally the lucidity and drama, of Seneca's epistolary prose. The heart of the volume, the commentary, supplies the reader with the philosophical and literary observations needed to make the best sense of Seneca's writing...The greatest contribution of the commentary is this: although expertly elucidating the philosophical issues under consideration (including doctrinal background and formal analysis of argument), Inwood focuses on Seneca's customized method of argument...This is the most serious and the most sensitive introduction to Seneca's philosophical letters that students of ancient philosophy could have hoped for, and a lasting contribution.'-James Ker, Rhizai

'Inwood offers far more than masterful translations of some of the philosophically most difficult Senecan letters...The book...provides much needed, modern translations of the highest quality, detailed and utterly helpful commentary, and an on-going argument against the view that Seneca is "merely" a spiritual guide. With the help of Inwood's book, Seneca's philosophical texts turn out to be most fruitfully studied in the context of the wider study of ancient philosophy...we need to read Seneca as students of ancient philosophy, interpreting Seneca's arguments with a view to those theories that Seneca knew and considered relevant. Inwood's new book is of the greatest help for that, and is likely to be the starting-point for future philosophical engagement with the selected letters.'-Katja Maria Vogt, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

This series is designed to encourage philosophers and students of philosophy to explore the fertile terrain of later ancient philosophy. The texts range in date from the first century BC to the fifth century AD, and will cover all the parts and all the schools of philosophy. Each volume contains a substantial introduction, an English translation, and a critical commentary on the philosophical claims and arguments of the text. The translations aim primarily at accuracy and fidelity; but they are also readable and accompanied by notes on textual problems that affect the philosophical interpretation. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is assumed.

Brad Inwood is Professor of Classics and Philosophy at the University of Toronto.