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Secondary sourceBookc. 108 AD

Discourses of Epictetus

Arrian · c. 108 AD

A series of informal lectures by Epictetus, written down by his pupil Arrian around 108 AD; four of the original eight books survive.

Preserves Epictetus's own teaching voice, including his references to his slavery and lameness, as recorded by his pupil.

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A photographed page of an ancient Greek manuscript on aged, yellowed parchment with brownish edges. Dense lines of handwritten Greek script fill the page, with a large dark brown stain in the center obscuring part of the text. A small circular library stamp appears on the right side, and a marginal number is visible at the upper right. Some marginal notes are written at the lower right.
Arrian (recorder), Discourses of Epictetus, c. 108 AD. Manuscript page from Codex Bodleianus, Bodleian Library.

About this source

What it is

The Discourses are informal lectures by Epictetus, recorded by his student Arrian around 108 AD. Originally eight books, only four survive complete. They are written in everyday Greek and claim to preserve Epictetus's actual words and classroom manner, set in his school in Nicopolis.

Why it matters

The Discourses are our best record of how Epictetus actually spoke and taught, including his focus on judgments, desires, and self-examination. They influenced later thinkers, including the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who quoted them. The image shows a page from the oldest surviving manuscript, the 11th-12th century Codex Bodleianus.

Look closer

  • Arrian says he tried to write Epictetus's words 'as nearly as possible' — what problems might arise from relying on memory and notes?
  • What does the informal, conversational style tell you about how Epictetus taught his students?
  • Why might a stained, damaged manuscript page still matter to historians today?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Epictetus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page and opening of Chapter I of the Enchiridion of Epictetus, a 1683 edition with Greek and Latin text in two columns, a decorated initial letter, and Latin commentary below.Book

Secondary source

Enchiridion of Epictetus

Arrian · early 2nd century AD (this edition 1683)

A photographed page of an old handwritten Greek manuscript on yellowed, worn parchment. The dense brown-black lines of script are written in a cursive hand, with a large dark stain in the middle obscuring part of the text. A circular library stamp is visible at the upper right and another near the bottom. Faded marginal notes appear on the right side.Document

Secondary source

Codex Bodleianus

c. 11th-12th century

Title page of a 1558 Latin and Greek edition of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, printed in Zurich by Andreas Gesner. The page lists Xylander as translator and includes a second title for Marinus' Life of Proclus.Book

Primary source

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius · c. 170-180 AD (this edition printed 1558)

Scan of the inside cover or flyleaf of a book, grey and aged, with an oval library stamp reading 'Bibliotheque de la Ville de Poitiers' and 'D 3463' at top left, and handwritten shelfmark 'v. 33.' and 'in 8°' in the centre. No title page text is visible.Book

Secondary source

Altercacion, dialogue de l'Empereur Adrian et du Philosophe Epictete

Jean de Coras (translator)

Plain dark red-brown leather book cover with mottled texture, faded lighter streaks and worn spots, and no visible title or text. Likely the binding of an antique book.Book

Secondary source

Commentary on the Enchiridion of Epictetus

Simplicius of Cilicia · c. 530s AD

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