born 0441; AD 55
died 0441; 135
Greek philosopher associated with Stoicism .
His original name is not known; epiktetos means "acquired." He is not known to have written anything, but his teachings were transmitted by his pupil Arrian (d. 0441; AD 180) in two works, the Discourses and the Encheiridion . True education, Epictetus believed, consists in recognizing that the only thing that belongs to an individual fully is his will. Humans are not responsible for the ideas that present themselves to their consciousness, though they are wholly responsible for how they react to them.
"Barbarian Archer in Scythian Costume," Athenian plate by Epictetus, late 6th century ...
By courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum