Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca, or Seneca the Younger) (ca. 4 BC–AD 65) was a Roman philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature.


Born in Córdova, Hispania, Seneca was the second son of Helvia and Marcus (Lucius) Annaeus Seneca, a wealthy rhetorician known as Seneca the Elder. Seneca's older brother, Gallio, became proconsul at Achaia (where he encountered the apostle Paul about AD 52). Seneca was uncle to the poet Lucan by his younger brother Annaeus Mela.

Tradition relates that he was a sickly child and that he was taken to Rome for schooling. He was trained in rhetoric and was introduced into the Stoic philosophy by Attalos and Sotion. Due to his illness, Seneca stayed in Egypt from (25-31) for treatment.

After his return he established a successful career as an advocate. Around 37 he was nearly killed as a result of a conflict with the Emperor Caligula who only spared him because he believed the sickly Seneca would not live long anyways. In 41, Messalina, wife of the Emperor Claudius, persuaded Claudius to have Seneca banished to Corsica on a charge of adultery with Julia Livilla. He spent his exile in philosophical and natural study and wrote the Consolations.

In 49 AD, Claudius' new wife, Agrippina had Seneca recalled to Rome to tutor her son who was to become the emperor Nero. On Claudius' death in 54 Agrippina secured the recognition of Nero as emperor over Claudius' son, Britannicus.

For the first five years Nero ruled wisely under the influence of Seneca and the praetorian prefect, Sextus Afranius Burrus. But, before long, Seneca and Burrus had lost their influence over Nero, and his reign became tyrannical. With the death of Burrus in 62 Seneca retired and devoted his time to more study and writing.

In 65 Seneca was accused of being involved in the Pisonian conspiracy, which was a plot to kill Nero. Without a trial Seneca was ordered by Nero to commit suicide. Tacitus gives an account of the suicide of Seneca. His wife, Pompeia Paulina, intended to commit suicide after Seneca's death but was forbidden to do so by Nero.

                       

Courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_the_Younger