Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Seneca the Younger, l. 4 BCE - 65 CE) was a Roman author, playwright, orator, and most importantly a tutor and advisor to the Roman emperor Nero (r. 54-68 CE). Influenced by Stoic philosophy, he wrote several philosophical treatises and 124 letters on moral issues, the Epistulae Morales (Moral Epistles). As Nero's tutor, he tried to pass on his philosophy of a virtuous life, and with the help of the prefect of the Pretorian Guard, Burrus, he tried to keep Nero's indulgences under control. Despite his best efforts and falsely accused of being part of a plot to assassinate the emperor, he was ordered to commit suicide by the increasingly paranoid Nero.
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Timeline
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4 BCE - 65 CELife of Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Emperor Nero's tutor and advisor.
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41 CESeneca is exiled to Corsica.
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49 CESeneca is recalled from exile and becomes the tutor of future Roman emperor Nero.
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13 Oct 54 CE - 11 Jun 68 CEReign of Roman emperor Nero.
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65 CENero orders Seneca to commit suicide.
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65 CEPiso Conspiracy against Nero.
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19 Apr 65 CEThe Pisonian Conspiracy, a plot to kill Roman Emperor Nero, is betrayed by the freedman Milichus who was hoping for a handsome reward for informing on his former master and the others involved. Nero ordered the conspirators to either commit suicide or be executed, including the philosopher Seneca the Younger, while others were exiled, such as the stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus.
