Epictetus (c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a prominent Greek Stoic philosopher. Born into slavery in Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Turkey), he spent his early life in Rome. During this time, he studied Stoic philosophy under the tutelage of Musonius Rufus. Following his formal emancipation, Epictetus began teaching philosophy himself. However, when the Emperor Domitian banished all philosophers from Rome toward the end of the first century, Epictetus relocated to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece, where he established a highly regarded school of philosophy.
Epictetus's teachings emphasized that philosophy is a practical way of life rather than a merely theoretical pursuit. Central to his thought is the distinction between what is within our control and what is not. He argued that while external events are entirely beyond our influence and must be accepted calmly, individuals maintain complete responsibility for their own actions, choices, and judgments, which can be mastered through rigorous self-discipline. Although Epictetus did not write down his own teachings, his lectures and core principles were preserved and published by his pupil Arrian in the Discourses and the Enchiridion.
Through these transcribed works, Epictetus exerted a profound influence on the development of Western philosophy. His ideas deeply shaped the personal reflections of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and later resonated with prominent modern thinkers such as Blaise Pascal, Denis Diderot, Montesquieu, François Rabelais, and Samuel Johnson.
