Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

SENECA IN POWERhis personal assumption of the government wereforeshadowed by the crimes and extravagancesby which his private Hfe was aheady stained.His favourite nocturnal amusement at this timewas to sally forth disguised from his palace intothe streets,^^accompanied by his boon companions,whom he would cause to attack those whomthey met, insult women, break open doors, andplunder shops. Sometimes the people attacked,not recognising their assailant, would defendthemselves vigorously ;and the marks of theirfists would be visible on the emperor's face thenext day; so, to avoid such accidents for thefuture, he directed a body of gladiators to followhim at a distance, and to use their weapons ifmatters became serious. When it became knownthat Caesar was the hero of these nocturnalexpeditions his example was followed by others,whose objects were more practical, and who usedhis name to secure their booty ; until, accordingto the historian, Rome at night came to resemblea captured city given over to plunder. Hisencouragement of faction fights in the theatreswas scarcely less mischievous.These years marked the high tide of Seneca'sprosperity.'that time,'Seneca,' wrote the elder Pliny ofthan whom no man was ever lessbeguiled by appearances, was then the prince oflearning and at the summit of that power bywhich he was afterwards overwhelmed.' ^ The*Pliny, NM. xiv. 4 :'Novissime Annaeo Seneca, principe turneruditionis ac potentiae quae postremo nimia fuit super ipsum,minima utique miratore inanium.'