The Consolations of Seneca

Introduction

Seneca’s three Consolatory works, De Consolatione ad Marciam, De Consolatione ad Polybium, and De Consolatione ad Helviam Matrem, were all constructed in the Consolatio Literary Tradition, dating back to the fifth century BC. The Consolations are part of Seneca’s Treatises, commonly called Dialogues, or Dialogi. These works clearly contain essential principles of Seneca’s Stoic teachings. Although they are personal addresses of Seneca, these works are written more like essays than personal letter of consolation. Furthermore, although each essay is particular in its address of consolation, the tone of these works is notably detached. Seneca seems more preoccupied with presenting facts of the universe and the human condition instead of offering solace. This detachment may be a result of Seneca’s attempt to gain favor and contrive a return from exile through these Consolatio works, instead of merely offering a friendly hand of comfort.

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What greater pain is there than seeing one’s own mother in distress?

This is exactly what compelled Seneca—Roman philosopher, statesman, and a man of letters—to write a letter to his mother, Helvius, during his exile for allegedly having an affair with Julia Livilla, sister of Emperor Caligula. For the next eight years he spent his life on the island Corsica, just off the coast of France. While in exile, Seneca lost his father, his son, and his wife. The only solace in this prison of loneliness and despair was to write poems and letters to friends and family. It is in these letters that we see not a man who surrendered due to his treacherous circumstances, but a man who exercised the principles of Stoicism to safeguard and facilitate the tranquility of his mind.

While many of his letters are written for consolation, they read like essays that focus not on the advice we want to hear, but reminders of what we need to hear. He was the one in exile, yet he was the one comforting others outside of it. It is in these letters that he offers his understanding of human nature, adversity, and our unquestionable power to overcome it with the aid of philosophy.

Seneca’s letter to his mother does just this; he asks her to address her own grief and look at it with a philosophical and Stoic mind to move past it and not become crippled by it.