The Roman philosopher Seneca was often considered Nero’s leash. The psychotic and blood-thirsty maniac emperor was most reasonable in the first five years of his reign when Seneca’s influence as an advisor permeated Nero. As the Roman monarch lost his mind, Seneca distanced himself more. But while we mostly remember the Stoic philosopher because of … More Man’s Unique Good According to Seneca
Rome peaked after Augustus idealized a proven method for emperors to maintain power. The Julio-Claudian and Flavian dynasties contained some of the most notorious, insane, delusional, and erratic emperors in history. This essay seeks to answer whether all were the same or how they differentiated their lunacy. Octavian was very strategic in maintaining a colossal … More Julio-Claudian and Flavian Dynasties
The Orestia Trilogy is a story about the death, curses, and misfortune haunting one family. Over time, it became a classic Greek play because of its poetry and tragic quality. This essay is about the final play in the trilogy and will answer whether the outcome was just. It will also compare how future hope … More Orestia Trilogy
The Libation Bearers is Aeschylus’ play following Agamemnon. While I already wrote an essay about Agamemnon, here is a quick review of the play before delving into The Libation Bearers: Agamemnon went on a campaign against Troy as a personal vendetta against its king. In the process, he offered his daughter as a human sacrifice … More Orestes and Counterfeit Justice
Octavian was Julius Caesar’s grand-nephew and heir. Through a series of tactful alliances—first with the Senate as a pro-republic ally of Cicero opposed to Antony, then an ally of Antony and Lepidus through the second triumvirate —Octavian became the dictator after Julius Caesar. He even marched against Bruttus and Cassius, his grand-uncle’s murderers, until they … More Octavian: The Man Who Killed Rome’s Republic
Julius Caesar became the most powerful man in the world, but his journey to success was long and bloody. After the death of Sulla—a Roman commander who later became consul and restored strength to the republic’s political traditions—Rome fell under disarray. Everyone who was anyone put their hat in the ring to compete for power. … More How Julius Caesar Sequestered and Consolidated Power in Rome
Aeschylus was a Greek playwright. He wrote Agamemnon, which was about the tragedies surrounding Agamemnon, the king of Argos, and his household during the Trojan War. He and his brother Menelaus led the campaign against Troy. While King Agamemnon was successful in his siege, that victory had a price. Aeschylus went into extensive detail on … More Aeschylus on the Blowback of Agamemnon’s War
Hesiod’s Works and Days addresses the feuds between the gods, the creation of men, and proper ethics for prosperity. Zeus’ sovereignty over humans is one of the central themes. The deathless gods made the five races of men. Hesiod believed Zeus was sovereign because the gods created the five races of men, and Zeus was … More ‘Works and Days’ and Submission to Zeus
Alexander the Great unified all of Greece under his rule, fulfilled his father Philip the 2nd’s visions for an all-Greek war on Persia, and conquered Asia Minor, Egyp, Athens, Troy, Tyre, and many other nations in the process. His campaign solidified Greece as the world’s superpower. The Hellenistic period started after Alexander’s death. Many … More Epicurus and Epicureanism
The classical liberal Benjamin Constant noticed a worrisome confusion over ancient and modern liberty during his life. With a clear understanding of the difference, he used his knowledge to write the infamous essay, The Liberty of the Ancients Compared with That of the Moderns. In its most basic form, everyone agrees that liberty is good, … More Clashing Liberties: The Rule of Law or of Men?
Asher Sisneros 