Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

10 SENECAThe Senecas appear to have been a mostunited family. But whereas the father heldthe view common to old men in every age thatthe era of great men was over, and that inthe new generation there was an unexampleddearth of talent and ability in every kind, thesons were believers in progress, with scantrespect for authority, tradition, or nationalfeeling.The reminiscences of the Controversiae inwhich the father endeavours to convince hissons by description and quotation of thesuperiority of the past generation, were theoutcome of this difference of view. In thepreface of the last book he declares that theyshall trouble him no longer. He owns he isweary of the subject. At first he thoughtitwould be pleasant to summon up remembranceof things past and recall the best years of hislife under the mild Augustus, but he now feelshalf ashamed, as if he attached too much importanceto such studies. These exercises of ingenuity,he says, are well enough if taken lightly : takethem too seriously and they disgust. He couldnot admire the modern rhetorician Musa, whomhis sons had insisted on his accompanying themto hear. He thinks his style turgid and unnatural,declares the man has no sincerity, and,in spite of Mela's frowning disapproval '— —'licetMela mens confrahat frontem gives instancesof what he means from the declamation he hadheard. Clearly between father and sons, inspite of high mutual affection and respect, no