50–135 CE · Rome and Nicopolis
Epictetus
Epictetus was born into slavery in Phrygia and spent his early life owned by a member of Nero's court. Freed as an adult, he became one of the most influential teachers of his age, founding a school in Nicopolis. He wrote nothing himself; his lessons survive because a student, Arrian, took them down. His whole philosophy turns on one distinction: some things are up to us, and most things are not, and freedom begins the moment you stop confusing the two.
Some things are within our power, while others are not.
Epictetus — Enchiridion, 1
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