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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Letter XVI, what kind of life is said to have no direction?

2. What ailment, according to Letter LIV, has become very serious for Seneca?

3. What purpose does fasting serve, according to Seneca?

4. What does Seneca say about slaves?

5. Who is praised for his virtue and dedication to studies in Letter II?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Seneca say the unphilosophical life lacks and what does it have? Why is the life of a philosopher better?

2. Why does Lucilius call Seneca a hypocrite in Letter VIII?

3. Explain the importance to occasional fasting according to Seneca.

4. What is a sedan chair and why does Seneca use one occasionally?

5. What is Seneca's thoughts on the phrase "cheerful poverty?"

6. What is Seneca's theory on slavery?

7. What does Seneca confide to Lucilius about his own vices?

8. What does Seneca say about developing friendships?

9. What is the goal of philosophy, as stated by Seneca?

10. How does Seneca explain how he partakes of the festivities of Saturnalia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the lives and deaths of Socrates and Seneca.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss causation, applying the theories of Stoicism, Aristotle and Plato.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the ways Seneca treated or dealt with his asthma.

(see the answer keys)

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