Starting Seneca

Hello! I am looking for a good introduction to the works of Seneca. I've browsed Amazon, but most of the editions seem to be hodgepodge reconstructions from various sources. Does anyone know of a good primary source that is issued as the original was? As close to the original work as possible. Thanks!

Seneca wrote a lot. I highly recommend the Loeb editions, however, they are very expensive. Are you looking for just the philosophical epistles or the plays as well?

Stevia,
Probably the epistles and any essays. Loeb is pricey; it would be a shame if there were no other reliable, reasonably priced editions.

deathjoy,

The Cambridge Seneca: Moral and Political Essays is quite good, but hardly comprehensive. It doesn't contain the letters to Lucilius either. The Penguin Letters from a Stoic is okay as far as the translation goes (just don't read the introduction or the blurb, the person is WAY off the mark).

I'm not sure what Seneca's Moral Epistles (ISBN: 0865164878) is like, but Anna Lydia Motto is a fairly well respected scholar in the field.

I hope this helps a bit.

Regards,
Stevia

deathjoy, Stevia,

I read and greatly enjoyed the Penguin edition of Letters from a Stoic, though I don't feel qualified to comment on the intro or blurb. I enjoy Stoic philosophy so his letters gave me much to think about, but near the end he sounded like a grumpy old man. I highly recommend Letters from a Stoic.

Enjoy,
Paul