Citation

Schmal S. Klio 2008; 90(1): 105-123.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008)

DOI

10.1524/klio.2008.0006

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Tacitus portrays the suicide of the philosopher Seneca (65 AC) in great detail and, it seems, benevolently as an act of a strong character and philosophical catharsis (Tac. ann. 15.60.2-64). But anyone who is familiar with Tacitus and his tendency toward irony will notice that the historian quotes vain remarks and pathos from the philosopher. It is no accident that the poet Petronius dies soon thereafter in a completely different manner, i.e. explicitly avoiding all theatrics (Tac. ann. 16.19.2 et seq.). As a politician, a teacher of Nero, and one of the richest men in Rome, Seneca was very controversial. For Tacitus, a dramatic death is fitting for this man and writer, for whom appearance was always more important than truth and genuine integrity.

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