Roman stoicism is in fashion. We see it in movies, in historical novels and, whether they practice it or not, their maxims are constantly on the lips of influencersbusinessmen, footballers and celebrities of all kinds. It was always said that Stoicism was a philosophy for emperors and for slaves, and the fact is that it has been literally so: the two most prominent figures of late Stoicism were an emperor (Marcus Aurelius) and a slave. Rivers of ink have been written about the emperor, but the slave has always been in the background. Until now. Labels such as Taurus, Arpa, Rosamerón or Plutón editions have rescued in 2024 the life manual, of Epictetus, the slave turned philosopher. This is in addition to the publications in the last courses of publishers such as Alma, Edaf or Alianza both of the Manual as of their Rantsand the publishing boom that the Stoics have experienced in recent years, from Zeno to Seneca, passing through Marcus Aurelius.
“In the nineties there was a first push of neo-stoicism, especially from the United States, with several books by people from the company or even the military who applied Stoic teachings,” says David Hernández de la Fuente, in charge of the translation and editing of the Manual by Epictetus published by Arpa. “But it was after the pandemic that it broke out. Many new readers came to Stoicism from all areas, not just philosophy or philology, because they found solutions and keys for their lives.” What keys? “The late Stoics emerged in a time of turbulence, besieged by plague, by barbarian invasions, by climate change… the key is that they found the idea that, although the world can fall apart around you, you have to have a series of ideas as a basis,” says Hernández, who also with Arpa published a successful edition of the Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
Epictetus’s Stoic philosophy focused on the distinction between what is under our control (our judgments, desires, and impulses) and what is not (everything external, such as wealth or fame). He maintained that the key to happiness and freedom lies in learning to direct our thoughts and actions with virtue and serenity, regardless of external circumstances. In silver: determine what things we can change and accept those we cannot change. Or in the words of the teacher: “Of the things that exist, some depend on us and others do not. Of us, the judgment, the impulse, the desire, the aversion and, in a word, everything that is our business. And not our body, property, fame, power or, in a word, anything that is not our business. (…) If you believe that only what is yours is yours and that what is someone else’s is someone else’s (…) you will never do evil to your liking in any sense, no one will harm you nor will you have any enemies, because you will not suffer anything harmful.”
We don’t even know his name. Epictetus is actually a nickname, meaning “the purchased one,” or “the acquired one.” He was born in the year 55 in Hierapolis (present-day Pamukkale, in Türkiye) and died in the year 135 in the Greek Nicopolis. We don’t know who his parents were. We do know that as a child he was sold into slavery and was later freed. That his master tortured him, and that because of it he was crippled: he was lame. That he founded a Stoic school, far from Rome, but that from there he influenced the elite of the capital, who made pilgrimages to see him. Even, they say, the Emperor Hadrian came to meet him. The entire elite of rich people and consuls were fascinated by the poor teacher and former slave who lived with a clay lamp and who taught how to free oneself from what was not important. “Marco Aurelio did not know him,” says Hernández, “but he did read him and he clearly influenced him. In any case, Marcus Aurelius goes the other way, his Meditations they have another density; Epictetus’s manual is short, simple. It is the best way to introduce yourself to stoicism.”
Epictetus did not want to write that manual. Nor, in general, anything; nor his other great work, the Rants. A master of conversation, like his reference Socrates, it was his disciple Flavius Arrian who collected his teachings. “It is striking that we are fascinated by what are undoubtedly the strangest books that the ancient world has bequeathed to us, two books that are not books: one that was written privately so that we would not read it (the Meditations by Marcus Aurelius) and another that was written in the name of someone who did not want to write anything (the Manual),” says Hernández. The same thing happened with the rival school, the Epicureans: Epicurus’ teachings were spread thanks to another disciple, Diogenes of Enoanda, and not to the writing vocation of his teacher.
What would Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus think of the fame that their works have garnered in this modern world? “They would be horrified by posthumous fame: the memes, the likes…they were deeply against associating fame and money with success: they maintained that that is, in reality, what makes you a slave.” “That said, I am not surprised by the current success of either Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius: their books go straight to the heart of things, they directly challenge you with the message of ‘try to progress,’” Hernández contextualizes. “Epictetus speaks to those who try to learn, he comforts and is direct. The Rants They are less direct, but the Manual “It’s very brief,” he adds. There is a curious play on words: manual was literally the manualin the sense of something to have at hand. But it is also the name of a Roman knife: a weapon with which to cut, for example, unnecessary ties.
“The key is to return to the old masters, to the classical teachings,” concludes Hernández. “Epictetus is not a guru who suddenly comes out with a new church or a new philosophy. They are radical teachings that serve us perfectly for an uncertain and difficult period like the one we live in. And like the one he lived.” General level aside, there are his teachings that seem to be written specifically for these dates: “In family conversations, refrain from reiterating your facts, because even if you like to relate your exploits, others will not be pleased to hear them. Also avoid making jokes.” Wise almost Christmas words from Epictetus, the slave who taught us to be free.