Seneca

Seneca was a Roman statesman and philosopher who was born around 0 C.E. He was well-known and respected for his long years of public service to the Roman Empire. At the time he wrote these letters, he was advanced in his years. He complains frequently of various illnesses, but especially of asthma, which is so severe that he winds up leaving Rome (which he does not like anyway) and moving out to a rural residence. He is married to Paulina, whom he mentions only once; however, it does seem that he genuinely loves her because he notes that the only reason he cares for his health is to stay alive for her sake. It is obvious from his letters that he is quite wealthy and, though he recognizes that all men, rich and poor, are united by their common human nature, his social consciousness seems to be confined...