Descriptions of the end of the world in Seneca, and their philosophical and political meaning

What is it about?

Seneca describes the end of the world in many ways. He focusses on the sage, who initially stays apart from the apocalypse but sometimes takes part on it, without losing his tranquility. This depends on Seneca's stoic struggle to participate to the government of the State in some way, even if the situation is desperate. Moreover, Seneca's end is realized mostly by water. This is inconsistent with Stoic theory, which maintains that the world will be destroyed by fire. Seneca's choice probably intended to avoid any hint at the fire of Rome, the responsibility of which was ascribed to Nero.

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Why is it important?

It offers a political reading of the narration of the Flood in NQ 3.27-30.

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