# Epictetus

> Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–c. 138)

**Wikidata**: [Q183144](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183144)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/epictetus

## Summary
Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–c. 138) known for his teachings on Stoic philosophy, particularly the concept of controlling one's emotions and focusing on what is within one's control. He is primarily remembered for his written works, including the *Enchiridion*, which remains a foundational text in Stoic philosophy.

## Biography
- Born: c. 50, Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Turkey)
- Nationality: Greek
- Education: Trained in Stoic philosophy under the tutelage of Musonius Rufus
- Known for: Authoring *Enchiridion*, a concise guide to Stoic philosophy
- Employer(s): None (self-taught philosopher and teacher)
- Field(s): Philosophy, Stoicism

## Contributions
Epictetus authored the *Enchiridion* (c. 135), a short but influential work that distills Stoic principles into practical advice for living a virtuous life. His teachings emphasized the importance of accepting external events while controlling one's own reactions, a core tenet of Stoic philosophy. His writings have had a lasting impact on later philosophers and thinkers.

## FAQs
### What is Epictetus known for?
Epictetus is known for his *Enchiridion*, a concise guide to Stoic philosophy that emphasizes controlling one's emotions and focusing on what is within one's control. His teachings remain foundational in Stoic thought.

### Where did Epictetus study?
Epictetus was trained in Stoic philosophy under the tutelage of Musonius Rufus, a prominent Stoic philosopher. His education laid the foundation for his later teachings.

### What is the *Enchiridion*?
The *Enchiridion* is a short work by Epictetus that distills Stoic principles into practical advice for living a virtuous life. It remains a key text in Stoic philosophy.

### How did Epictetus influence later philosophy?
Epictetus' teachings on controlling emotions and focusing on internal control have influenced later philosophers, including those in the Stoic tradition. His ideas continue to be studied and applied in modern philosophy.

### What is the significance of Epictetus' philosophy?
Epictetus' philosophy emphasizes the importance of accepting external events while maintaining control over one's own reactions. This principle remains relevant in discussions on resilience, mental health, and personal development.

## Why They Matter
Epictetus' philosophy fundamentally transformed Stoic thought by emphasizing the importance of internal control and emotional resilience. His teachings on accepting external events while maintaining composure have influenced later philosophers and continue to be studied in modern philosophy. Without Epictetus, the Stoic tradition might lack the practical guidance found in the *Enchiridion*, which remains a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy.

## Notable For
- Authoring the *Enchiridion*, a foundational text in Stoic philosophy
- Teaching Stoic principles that emphasize controlling emotions and focusing on internal control
- Influencing later philosophers in the Stoic tradition
- Providing practical advice for living a virtuous life

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Epictetus was born around 50 in Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Turkey). He received his education in Stoic philosophy under the tutelage of Musonius Rufus, a prominent Stoic philosopher. His training laid the foundation for his later teachings.

### Philosophical Contributions
Epictetus authored the *Enchiridion* (c. 135), a concise guide to Stoic philosophy. The work distills Stoic principles into practical advice for living a virtuous life. His teachings emphasize the importance of accepting external events while controlling one's own reactions, a core tenet of Stoic philosophy.

### Influence and Legacy
Epictetus' philosophy has had a lasting impact on later philosophers, including those in the Stoic tradition. His teachings on controlling emotions and focusing on internal control remain relevant in discussions on resilience, mental health, and personal development. The *Enchiridion* continues to be studied and applied in modern philosophy.

### Personal Life and Later Years
Epictetus' personal life is not extensively documented, but he is known to have taught in Rome during the reign of Emperor Trajan. He died around 138, leaving behind a legacy of provocative thought that continues to inspire scholars and thinkers.

### Connected Entities
Epictetus' work was influenced by and influenced numerous thinkers, including Musonius Rufus, a prominent Stoic philosopher. His teachings on Stoic philosophy have shaped the intellectual trajectory of later philosophers.

### Cultural Impact
Epictetus' ideas permeate modern culture, from philosophy to personal development. His emphasis on internal control and emotional resilience has influenced discussions on resilience, mental health, and personal growth. His legacy continues to inspire scholars and thinkers in these fields.

### Digital Presence and Recognition
Epictetus has numerous identifiers and classification codes, including ISNI, VIAF, and GND. He has a Wikipedia page and a Wikimedia Commons category, and he has a significant number of sitelinks, indicating extensive coverage on Wikipedia.

### Notable Works and Achievements
- **Enchiridion (c. 135)**: Authored a concise guide to Stoic philosophy that emphasizes controlling emotions and focusing on internal control.
- **Teachings on Stoic Philosophy**: Provided practical advice for living a virtuous life, influencing later philosophers in the Stoic tradition.

### External Identifiers and Classification Codes
- ISNI: 0000000121250744
- VIAF: 100218891
- GND: 118530577
- LCCN: n50082929
- NDL: 004591458
- NLA: 35414983
- NTA: 068361890
- SELIBR: 1930
- SNAC: 000037250
- SUDOC: 026851822
- Trove: 126406
- Wikidata: Q5
- Wikipedia: Epictetus
- Wikimedia Commons: Epictetus

### Related Entities
- **Musonius Rufus**: Epictetus was trained in Stoic philosophy under the tutelage of Musonius Rufus, a prominent Stoic philosopher.
- **Stoicism**: Epictetus' teachings are part of the Stoic tradition, which emphasizes controlling emotions and focusing on internal control.
- **Philosophy**: Epictetus' work is part of the broader field of philosophy, which encompasses academic disciplines, academic majors, branches of science, genres, philosophical methods, philosophical analysis, common sense, intuition, thought experiments, Socratic questioning, and phenomenology.
- **Ancient Rome**: Epictetus taught in Rome during the reign of Emperor Trajan, contributing to the intellectual life of the time.
- **Hierapolis**: Epictetus was born in Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Turkey), a city with a rich history in philosophy and culture.

## References

1. Source
2. Library of the World's Best Literature
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. CiNii Research
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. MusicBrainz
7. Integrated Authority File
8. Catalogue of the Library of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
9. Treccani Philosophy
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Epictetus)
12. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html)
13. CONOR.SI
14. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
15. Quora
16. Enciclopedia Treccani
17. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/nl02212627fwfmv)
18. HMML Authority File