An Ancient Influencer

Health and Lifestyle Advice from a Stoic

Imagine you were browsing through social media and stumbled across an article titled “10 Stoic Habits for a Better Life – Advice from Seneca”. In the article, you will find advice from some guy on how to live your life. Today, we would call him a lifestyle coach. In ancient Rome, he was a philosopher. Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, ancient Rome’s most significant Stoic, dedicated much of his life to passing on his wisdom to future generations. The desire to pass on one’s knowledge is timeless. Wanting to communicate, reach out to others, and share our thoughts and knowledge is deeply ingrained in our nature. Nowadays, we witness this tendency as the profession of influencer or content creator becomes more common. Despite seeming novel, the essence of this phenomenon is ancient. Seneca is a prime example. Among his works are his epistulae morales, a series of letters to his friend Lucilius. In his letters, Seneca offers advice on health, philosophical ideas, practical advice, and his opinions. Similar to how today’s influencers talk about lifestyle and wellness, mindfulness, and success. Where Seneca begins his letters with “Seneca Lucilio suo salutem”, (translating to “Seneca greets his friend Lucilius” or “Greeting from Seneca to his friend Lucilius”), today’s influencers start with a chirpy “hey guys” or “dear listeners”. It is quite easy to imagine how Senecas’ epistles could be repackaged as a blog post or video. Initially, it may seem audacious to compare one of the greatest philosophers of all time to modern-day influencers. However, the similarities are strong enough to be considered. Back then, there were different types of writers and philosophers, just as there are now various types of content creators. Some used their writing to manipulate their readers, while others wished to guide them. Just as modern influencers lie to their audience to gain popularity and brand deals. But many intelligent, well-spoken intellectuals use their platforms to educate their audiences. They are not traditionally regarded as “influencers.” However, influence is precisely what they do. Seneca wrote about the value of mental clarity, the importance of inner peace, and self-discipline. His advice is mirrored by today’s thoughtful content creators. While the language and context change, the core messages remain. Therefore, if anyone were to come across an article about Stoic lifestyle advice, it would still be worth reading two thousand years later.