Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

When
Seneca: His Character and Environment
teacher with much deference, consulted him on all
important matters, and seems to have been largely
guided by his advice. He also testified his regard
for him by raising him to the rank of consul. In
course of time, however, the feelings and conduct of
the prince underwent a change. The possession of
unlimited power by
a character that was both weak
and vain; the adulation of the conscienceless favorites
with whom he surrounded himself: the intrigues or
cabals to whom the high morality of the philosopher
was a standing rebuke; and the naturally vicious
temper of Xero. all conspired to prepare the way for
the downfall of Seneca the .
conspiracy of
Calpurnius Piso against the monarch was discovered,
the charge of participation, or at least of criminal
knowledge, was brought against Seneca, and he was
condemned to die. Allowed to choose the means of
ending his life, he caused a vein to be opened
and thus slowly bled to death. It was his destiny
to be compelled to take his departure from this
world in the way
he had so often commended to
others; indeed it is probable that his reiterated
encomiums upon suicide as an effectual remedy
against the ills of this life, was not without its in
fluence upon his executioners. They probably wanted
to give him the opportunity to prove by his works
the sincerity of his faith.
During the closing scene he told his disconsolate
friends that the only bequest he was permitted to
leave to them was the example of an honorable life;
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