Epictetus was a teacher of the Stoic philosophy, and the chief of those who lived during the period of the Roman empire. An anecdote given in the 'Discourses' collected by Arrian (i. 7) seems to show that he had been a pupil of Musonius Rufus, a Stoic philosopher whom Nero banished to Gyara, and who was subsequently recalled to Rome by Veapasian. The lessons of Epictetus were principally, if nut solely, directed to practical morality. His favourite maxim, and that into which ho resolved all practical morality, was 'bear and forbear.' He appears to have differed from the Stoics on the matter of suicide. (Arrian, Epict.' i. 8.) We are told by Arrian in his Preface to the 'Discourses; that he was a powerful and exciting lecturer ; and, according to Origen (' C. Cols.' vl. ad init.), his style was superior to that of Plato. ]t is a proof of the estimation iu which Epictetus was held that, on his death, his lamp was purchased by somo more eager than wise aspirant after philosophy fur three thousand drachmae. (Lucian, ' Adv. Indoct. libr. ement.: tom. 1,
p. 3S6.) Though it is said by Seidel that Epictotus wrote muoh, there is good reason to believe that he himself wrote nothing. His 'Discourses' were taken down by Isis pupil Arden, and published after his death in six books, of which four remain. The same Arrian compiled the Eneheiridion; and wrote a life of Epietetua, which has been last. [Aintrax.) Some fragments have alao been preserved by Stobrous.
The best edition of all the remains of Epictotus is that by Schweighnuser, in six volumes, Leipzig, 1799. The same editor has published the 'Encheiridion: together with the Tablet of Cubes,' iu a separate volume. Corny published an edition of the 'Encheiridion,' with a Frenclatranalation by another hand, in the eoventh volume of the Parerga of his 'Bibliotheca Caeca,' Paris, 1826, 8vo. There is an translation of the ' Encheiridion, or Manual,' by Mrs. Carter.
(Baylo, Dictionary; Fabricil, Bibtiotheca Graca, ed. Hades., vol. v., p.