Lucius Annaeus Seneca, De Consolatione Ad Polybium [Consolation to Polybius]

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The Consolation to Polybius was written by Lucius Annaeus Seneca in winter 43-44 A.D (Grimal 1978, 277-279. Abel 1967, 163, argued for a redaction in the first half of 43, but most critics were not convinced by his argument.). At that time, Seneca was living in Corsica, where he was relegated in fall (?) 41, on a charge of adultery with Julia Livilla. Polybius was a powerful freedman at Claudius’ court: Seneca wrote a consolation to him after his brother died, in order to diminish his sadness. Seneca had already composed two consolationes: one for Marcia, when her son died (39-40 A.D.), and another one for his mother Helvia, who was very sad because of his exile (42? or later). In fact, as it stands (the beginning is lost), this work is not a mere moral pamphlet. It is also a

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Citation: Flamerie de Lachapelle, Guillaume . "De Consolatione Ad Polybium". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 July 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35031, accessed 19 March 2024.]

35031 De Consolatione Ad Polybium 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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