Overview

Seneca's De Beneficiis (On Benefits) is the only work surviving from antiquity that discusses the exchange of gifts and services. Though the topic is of great importance, in practical moral philosophy, sociology, and in the historical study of how Roman society worked, the treatise has received comparatively little scholarly notice in modern times. This is partly attributable to its length, Seneca's fullest treatment of a single subject, and its puzzling structure. In this volume Griffin aims to explain the philosophical, sociological, and historical significance of De Beneficiis, and make it more accessible to readers. Divided into three sections, the volume firstly defines the phenomenon Seneca treats in De Beneficiis, pointing out his Stoic orientation and the relevance of his discussion to the Roman elite's code of conduct and to the phenomenon of the Princeps. The second section explores the work itself: its date, addressee, structure, teaching strategy, its relation to other works of Seneca, and its later reputation up to the Renaissance. The final section provides a detailed synopsis of each book, accompanied by notes in commentary form, as well as separate biographical notes on the persons mentioned in De Beneficiis.

Full Product Details

Author:   Miriam T. Griffin (Emeritus Fellow of Somerville College, Oxford)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.70cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 23.20cm
Weight:   0.614kg
ISBN:  

9780198723318

ISBN 10:   0198723318
Pages:   416
Publication Date:   14 August 2014
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Preface Abbreviations Introduction Part I: The Subject-Matter of De beneficiis 1: Cicero and Seneca 2: De beneficiis and Philosophy 3: De beneficiis and Roman Society Part II: Seneca's Treatise 4: The Date and Addressee 5: The Title 6: The Structure of De beneficiis 7: The Pedagogic Strategy of De beneficiis 8: De beneficiis and Seneca's Other Philosophical Works 9: The Afterlife of De beneficiis up to the Renaissance Part III: A Map of De beneficiis Synopsis of Book 1 Notes to Synopsis of Book 1 Synopsis of Book 2 Notes to Synopsis of Book 2 Synopsis of Book 3 Notes to Synopsis of Book 3 Synopsis of Book 4 Notes to Synopsis of Book 4 Synopsis of Book 5 Notes to Synopsis of Book 5 Synopsis of Book 6 Notes to Synopsis of Book 6 Synopsis of Book 7 Notes to Synopsis of Book 7 Biographical Notes on Persons Mentioned in De beneficiis Bibliography Index Locorum General Index

Reviews

Here is a work that completely fulfils its declared aim of guiding students and teachers but which, through its depth, originality, and weight, goes beyond that and considerably advances our understanding of the treatise. ...Griffin offers us an instrument of the first order to accompany the reading of a work that is at times perplexing. * Sehephunkte *

Here is a work that completely fulfils its declared aim of guiding students and teachers but which, through its depth, originality, and weight, goes beyond that and considerably advances our understanding of the treatise. ...Griffin offers us an instrument of the first order to accompany the reading of a work that is at times perplexing. Sehephunkte

Author Information

Miriam T. Griffin is Emeritus Fellow of Somerville College, Oxford.

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