LUCIUS ANNÆUS SENECA.

§ III. Seneca, therefore, as before observed, came very young to Rome, and there, as he grew up, ripened his talents in the best and most proper studies. At the time when foreign sacrifices were removed from Rome and abolished (which happened in the fifth year of Tiberius, 772 years after the founding of Rome), Seneca was about 22 years old; he was instructed in eloquence and thoroughly accomplished under the tuition of his father (g), as was also his brother Gallio (h). As for Mela, we do not know that he left anything in writing.

Seneca, besides his eloquence, addicted himself to philosophy with great earnestness, and his elegant turn of mind was drawn toward virtue, against the inclination of his father. He himself declares more than once that he was withheld from philosophy, and expressly that his wife, having an aversion to it, dissuaded him from it. But his ardor overcame all of this; he diligently attended the most famous and serious philosophers of that age, particularly Attalus and Sotio of the same sect (i), though he seems more inclined to follow Pythagoras and Papirius Fabius, whom he likewise mentions and praises in a grateful manner. He also admired Demetrius the Cynic and greatly honored him, conversing with him both in public and private as he advanced in years and was at court, making him his companion in both his walks and his travels. Such was his forwardness in the liberal studies, though often checked and restrained by his father, who intended him for the bar. Accordingly, for some time, he was engaged in pleading causes, even in the time of Caius, and was greatly caressed and famed for his eloquence. Nor, indeed, do we find any philosophical works of his extant before that time.

§ IV. His father likewise persuaded him to turn courtier and offer himself as a candidate for some post of honor. He succeeded in this and was appointed quaestor, or treasurer. But in the first year of the reign of the Emperor Claudius, he was banished to Corsica. I would suppose him (says Lipsius) innocent of the crime laid to his charge, as Tacitus seems to be of the same opinion, who, speaking of his banishment, says Seneca greatly resented the injury done him by

(g) As we may learn from his books of Controversies and their Prefaces.
(h) The Gallio whom Statius recommends for the sweetness of his eloquence.
"You may attribute not only Lucan to the world, but Seneca, and the sweet-tongued Gallio."
(i) "While yet a lad, I attended the lectures of Sotio." Epistle 49.