How to Die - An Ancient Guide to the End of Life

"It takes an entire lifetime to learn how to die," wrote the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca (c. 4 BC-65 AD). He counseled readers to "study death always," and took his own advice, returning to the subject again and again in all his writings, yet he never treated it in a complete work. How to Die gathers in one volume, for the first time, Seneca's remarkable meditations on death and dying. Edited and translated by James S. Romm, How to Die reveals a provocative thinker and dazzling writer who speaks with a startling frankness about the need to accept death or even, under certain conditions, to seek it out. Featuring beautifully rendered new translations, How to Die also includes an enlightening introduction, notes, the original Latin texts, and an epilogue presenting Tacitus's description of Seneca's grim suicide.

About the author

Seneca
Edited, translated, and introduced by James S. Romm

Summary

Timeless wisdom on death and dying from the celebrated Stoic philosopher Seneca.

Additional text

"[A] a potent compilation of passages."---Tracy Lee Simmons, City Journal

Report

"James Romm takes us up close to death with Seneca for his guide. Don't be afraid, be prepared--be very prepared."--Mary Beard, author of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome

Product details

• Authors: Seneca, der Jüngere Seneca, E. F. Watling Seneca, James S. (EDT) Seneca/ Romm
• Assisted by: James S. Romm (Editor), Romm James S. (Editor), James S. Romm (Introduction), Romm James S. (Introduction), James S. Romm (Translation), Romm James S. (Editor and translation)
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.01.2018
• EAN: 9780691175577
• ISBN: 978-0-691-17557-7
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 125 mm x 181 mm x 21 mm
• Series: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / Ancient & Classical, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500