The Daily Stoic

Classics Scholar Shadi Bartsch on What Ancient Texts Reveal About Modern Life | This Is Making You Who You Are

Jun 23, 2021
Shadi Bartsch, a renowned Classics scholar and professor at the University of Chicago, dives into the enduring relevance of ancient texts. She unpacks the complex moral dilemmas of Seneca, particularly his paradoxical role as Nero's advisor, highlighting the tension between philosophy and political engagement. Bartsch also discusses her translation work on Virgil's 'Aeneid' and emphasizes how studying classics can foster critical thinking about modern culture and ethics. Her insights challenge listeners to reflect on the legacy and implications of historical narratives in today's society.
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INSIGHT

Seneca's Hypocrisy

  • Seneca's life poses a key ethical question: what if someone advocating for a moral system can't live by it?
  • His failure makes his writings more relatable, not less.
ANECDOTE

Seneca's Difficult Position

  • Ryan Holiday questions Seneca's hypocrisy, wondering if he was trapped in his role serving Nero.
  • Seneca's only way out may have been through suicide.
INSIGHT

Seneca's Loss of Freedom

  • Seneca's life mirrors Pompey's last words, quoting Sophocles: whoever enters a tyrant's court becomes a slave.
  • This reflects Seneca's trajectory of losing freedom while serving Nero.
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