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Epictetus (trans. T. W. Rolleston) · c. 108 CE
primary
passage 129 of 145 · CHAPTER I. > CHAPTER IV.
in brief
The editor argues that Epictetus strongly affirmed human dignity in social relations and claims he is the only pagan thinker to condemn slavery, contrasting him with Chrysippus’ definition.
- The sense of human dignity was strong in Epictetus, and he would have it practically observed in men's relations with each other. Compare Ch.
v. 7. Zeller must have overlooked these Fragments of Epictetus when he asserted (p. 301) that no Stoic philosopher had ever condemned slavery.
So far as we know, however, this is the only condemnation of that institution ever uttered by any Pagan thinker. The usual Stoic view was laid down by Chrysippus, who defined the slave very much as Carlyle does, as a "perpetuus mercenarius"--a man "hired for life, from whom work was to be required, a just return for it being accorded (operam exegendam, justa proebenda)". This utterance of Epictetus, as of one who knew slavery from within, and certainly was not inclined to exaggerate its discomforts, is noteworthy enough.
topics:
justice as a virtue · rights and liberties · slavery and bondage
The Teaching of Epictetus · Epictetus (trans. T. W. Rolleston) · 100–135
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