'Stoic Opposition' from Nero to Domitian (Ca. AD 54-96)

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Notable members of the ‘Stoic opposition’ from Nero to Domitian (ca. AD 54-96) Note the following historical characters from the late Republic, who become ‘heroes’ to the Stoic opposition and are frequently referenced: Cato the Younger (commits suicide in 46 BC to evade capture by Caesar), the assassins Brutus and Cassius (both commit suicide at battle of Philippi in 42 BC), Porcia (daughter of Cato, wife of Brutus, commits suicide, probably in 42 BC on hearing of her husband’s suicide). *** Rubellius Plautus: executed by Nero in AD 62, allegedly because he was fomenting rebellion Lucan: famous poet under Nero, author of Pharsalia, epic poem about the civil war between Caesar and Pompey (notably anti-Caesarian). Banned by Nero from reciting his poetry and speaking in public. Commits suicide at age 25 in AD 65, for alleged participation in plot against Nero. Persius (Patterson 266-68): satirist under Nero associated with Stoic opposition, dies in AD 62 at age 28 (apparently of natural causes). Seneca the Younger (Patterson 272-74, and extensively in Wirszubski): tutor and advisor to Nero, prolific author (you’ve read stuff by him). Commits suicide in AD 65 in wake of alleged participation in conspiracy against Nero. Thrasea Paetus (Wirszubski pp. 138-43): perhaps the most famous Stoic senator of all. Fairly consistent opponent of Nero; condemned by Nero, commits suicide in AD 66. Author of a biography of Cato the Younger. Musonius Rufus: famous teacher of Stoicism during the reign of Nero (associated with many of the above), exiled for his teaching in AD 65. Returns to Rome under Galba but banished again by Vespasian in AD 71. Helvidius Priscus (Wirszubski 147-49): son-in-law of Thrasea; critical of Vespasian, he was exiled in AD 75 and then excecuted. Herennius Senecio: opposed the emperor Domitian; authored a biography of Helvidius Priscus, executed by Domitian in AD 93 Epictetus (Patterson 278-82 and passim): student of Musonius, ex-slave in court of Nero, well-known for his Discourses (‘transcriptions’ of his Stoic teachings/writings by Arrian). You’ve read his On Freedom. exitus-literature: biographies of famous men that focus on their deaths or ‘exitus’ (usually by suicide), quite often Stoics, and that were popular among the Stoic opposition. E.g., several biographies of Cato the Younger were in circulation. Tacitus’ Agricola is one surviving text notably influenced by this genre. .

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