Circa 4 B.C.E.-65 C.E.
Author, Philosopher, And Imperial Tutor

Exile and Redemption. Seneca was born circa 4 B.C.E. at Corduba in Spain, and educated at Rome. Seneca became a well-known author and orator, and was long associated with the Julio-Claudian family. Accused of adultery with Caligula's sister Julia Livilla, Seneca was exiled to Corsica in 41 C.E. until Agrippina (also sister of Caligula, and wife of the emperor Claudius) instigated his recall in 49 and made him tutor to the future emperor Nero. Seneca served as adviser to Nero during the first five years of his reign, and after falling into disfavor with Nero he retired in 62. A charge of complicity in the Pisonian Conspiracy of 65 led to Seneca's suicide on Nero's order. Seneca's great literary contributions span several genres and much of his adult life. He is a...