
Discourses, Fragments, Handbook
Epictetus(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 13. February 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-19-959518-1 (ISBN)
Description
'About things that are within our power and those that are not.'
Epictetus's Discourses have been the most widely read and influential of all writings of Stoic philosophy, from antiquity onwards. They set out the core ethical principles of Stoicism in a form designed to help people put them into practice and to use them as a basis for leading a good human life. Epictetus was a teacher, and a freed slave, whose discourses have a vivid informality, animated by anecdotes and dialogue. Forceful, direct, and challenging, their central message is that the basis of happiness is up to us, and that we all have the capacity, through sustained reflection and hard work, of achieving this goal. They still speak eloquently to modern readers seeking meaning in their own lives.
This is the only complete modern translation of the Discourses, together with the Handbook or manual of key themes, and surviving fragments. Robin Hard's accurate and accessible translation is accompanied by Christopher Gill's full introduction and comprehensive notes.
ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Epictetus's Discourses have been the most widely read and influential of all writings of Stoic philosophy, from antiquity onwards. They set out the core ethical principles of Stoicism in a form designed to help people put them into practice and to use them as a basis for leading a good human life. Epictetus was a teacher, and a freed slave, whose discourses have a vivid informality, animated by anecdotes and dialogue. Forceful, direct, and challenging, their central message is that the basis of happiness is up to us, and that we all have the capacity, through sustained reflection and hard work, of achieving this goal. They still speak eloquently to modern readers seeking meaning in their own lives.
This is the only complete modern translation of the Discourses, together with the Handbook or manual of key themes, and surviving fragments. Robin Hard's accurate and accessible translation is accompanied by Christopher Gill's full introduction and comprehensive notes.
ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Reviews / Votes
lively translation ... [Epictetus] remains relevant for anyone who refuses to go with the flow. * Chris Hirst, Independent *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
277 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-959518-1 (9780199595181)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Epictetus
Discourses, Fragments, Handbook
E-Book
02/2014
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€6.99
Available for download

Epictetus
Discourses, Fragments, Handbook
E-Book
02/2014
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€6.99
Available for download
Persons
Robin Hard is the author of The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology (2003) and the translator and editor of Apollodorus' Library of Greek Mythology (1997) and Diogenes' Sayings and Anecdotes (2012) for Oxford World's Classics, as well as the translator of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations (OWC, 2011), with introduction and notes by Christopher Gill.
Christopher Gill has written extensively on ancient philosophy, especially on Hellenistic and Roman ethics and psychology. He is the editor of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, tr. Robin Hard, for Oxford World's Classics.
Christopher Gill has written extensively on ancient philosophy, especially on Hellenistic and Roman ethics and psychology. He is the editor of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, tr. Robin Hard, for Oxford World's Classics.
Author
Introduction and text
Professor of Ancient Thought, University of Exeter
Translation
Freelance translator and author