Epictetus

Born around 55 CE at Hierapolis in Phrygia, in present-day Turkey, he began life as a slave and later studied Stoic philosophy under Musonius Rufus in Rome. After being freed, he taught philosophy there until he was banished, then settled in Nicopolis in northwestern Greece, where he founded a school.

He wrote nothing himself. What survives comes mainly through his pupil Arrian, who recorded the Discourses and compiled the shorter Enchiridion, or Handbook. These works made his teaching famous for its direct, practical focus on what is and is not in our control.

His thought centers on character, discipline, and inner freedom rather than wealth, status, or comfort. That plain, usable wisdom helped shape later moral philosophy and has kept his work alive for centuries with readers looking for steadiness in difficult times.