This useful student edition presents ten of Seneca's best-known letters as well as selections from two of his philosophical essays, De providentia and De vita beata. A leading proponent of Stoicism, Seneca has influenced writers and thinkers throughout the centuries. Seneca's letters and essays are ideally suitable for intermediate-level Latin students. Written in a clear and crisp style, they are universal in scope and psychological in orientation. Thus students can appreciate these works without having detailed knowledge of the historical period in which they were composed. In addition, in our own era of electronic entertainment and conspicuous consumption, Seneca's advocacy of a simple life resonates deeply with modern readers. M.D. Usher has arranged the selections by theme, length, and degree of difficulty. Each selection is introduced by a brief summary of its significance. Usher also provides line-by-line notes on grammar, style, and content, and a vocabulary listing all Latin words found in the texts.