Seneca and Roman Slavery Under Nero's Rule

Nero as the political slave master of the Roman world wielded absolute power over all his subjects, including the Stoic philosopher Seneca. This absolute political power decisively influenced how Seneca adapted his humane view of Roman slaves to the institution of household slavery. Seneca, who was also Nero's advisor, fashioned an ideology of clemency or mercy to influence how Nero the political slave master treated his subjects and how the Roman household slave master treated his slaves. Contrary to common assumptions among scholars, I emphasize that the political loyalty of Seneca to the absolute power of the Roman emperor as political slave master decisively shaped his acceptance of the institution of household slavery. This book is based on my 2022 doctoral dissertation in classics at the University of Florida and is aimed at readers interested in Seneca, Stoic philosophy, Nero, ancient slavery, and Roman history.

Another series on great thinkers, also by Oswald Sobrino, includes a related book entitled 5 Lessons from Seneca (2022), at Amazon.