Biography: Born about A.D. 60, died about A.D. 100. Originally a slave of Epaphroditus, a freedman of Nero. He suffered an injured led - a result of cruel punishment during slavery. He lived and taught in Rome until A.D. 90, when Emperor Domitian banished philosophers. He moved to Nicopolis in Greece.
Insight: Despite different circumstances Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius share the same views on almost all philosophical questions.
Insight: Epictetus' stoic philosophy focused on endurance rather than hope, which is effective in hard times as well as good times.