Seneca

Stoicism

At the time, Seneca and Nero were extremely good friends. But, Nero became paranoid and suspected Seneca of trying to kill or go against him. Due to this paranoia, Nero sent Natalis to tell Seneca that he would be put to death or he could commit suicide. Before and during his death, Seneca was completely stoic and cared much more about his wife, who was also killing herself with him, than about his own death and pain. Stoicism is the ability to endure pain and hardship while retaining the ability to control one's emotions; Seneca, at his death, was a perfect example of a stoic.

In book that Tacitus wrote about Seneca, he stated: "Upon this the tribune asserted that he saw no signs of fear, and perceived no sadness in his words or in his looks." This quote was explaining Seneca’s response to Natalis when Natalis told Seneca Nero’s death wish for him. Seneca didn’t cry or try to fight Natalis, nor was he scared or worried. He acted as he normally would to any person he was talking to, without showing any signs that he was upset or that he planned on committing suicide. Seneca simply accepted Nero’s death wish, and followed through with the procedure.

Another quote from Tacitus’ book that described and explained Seneca’s stoicism is: “Seneca, quite unmoved, asked for tablets on which to inscribe his will, and, on the centurion's refusal, turned to his friends, protesting that as he was forbidden to requite them, he bequeathed to them the only, but still the noblest possession yet remaining to him, the pattern of his life, which, if they remembered, they would win a name for moral worth and steadfast friendship.” Seneca only asked to write his will, without even showing that this death he was soon to encounter bothered him at all. He told his friends about what he was leaving to them, and didn’t discuss his death or try to explain to them what he was feeling. He told them that all he could leave them was the reward of his friendship. There was no crying or sadness in his voice, he remained stoic the entire time.

“At the same time he called them back from their tears to manly resolution, now with friendly talk, and now with the sterner language of rebuke.” Seneca told his friends that he didn’t want them to cry either, that they should have stayed in the same, normal state that he was staying in. He was being friendly and talking to them as if they were holding a normal conversation about anything. He refused to let his death get to him; he stayed in a calm and friendly state at the time. But, once he heard that his wife was going to kill herself also, he began to show emotions.