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The Works of Epictetus

Epictetus · 1865

A complete English translation of Epictetus's Discourses, Enchiridion and Fragments by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, first published 1865.

A full English translation preserving the complete body of Epictetus's recorded teaching.

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About this source

What it is

This volume collects the Discourses (in four books), the Enchiridion, and surviving Fragments of Epictetus, translated into English by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, first published in 1865 and revised in 1890.

Why it matters

Higginson's preface explains his translation built on an earlier version by Elizabeth Carter, showing how Epictetus's ideas were passed down and reworked by translators over more than a century, keeping Stoic philosophy in circulation for new generations of readers.

Look closer

  • Why does the translator mention earlier translations, including one by a woman, Elizabeth Carter?
  • What might change when a philosopher's words pass through multiple translators over time?
  • Why might a 19th-century reader still have been interested in a 2nd-century philosopher?

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 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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