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The Teaching of Epictetus

Epictetus

An English translation of the Enchiridion with selections from the Discourses and Fragments, by T. W. Rolleston.

An accessible English version of Epictetus's own teachings, suitable for student study.

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Full text (public-domain edition)

About this source

What it is

This book presents Epictetus's Enchiridion along with selections from his Discourses and fragments, translated into English with an introduction by T. W. Rolleston.

Why it matters

The introduction explains that Epictetus wrote nothing himself; his teaching survives because his student Arrian recorded it. This translation made Stoic philosophy accessible to English readers and highlights how much we owe to Arrian's record-keeping.

Look closer

  • Why did the translator include a note on how to pronounce 'Epictetus'?
  • What does the introduction tell us about the reliability of our sources on Epictetus?
  • How might translation choices shape our understanding of an ancient philosopher's ideas?

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.

More Epictetus sources

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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 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.Book

Secondary source

Discourses of Epictetus

Arrian · c. 108 AD

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)

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