Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

(ca. 54 BC. - 39 AD)
Native Korduby (sovr. Cordoba, Spain), the second of his sons was much more famous Seneca the Younger, and nephew - the poet Lucan. From the works of Seneca-owned Disputes (Controversiae) in ten books, a collection of rhetorical exercises, where they were described 74 cases, preserved 35 of the criminal and civil law, as well as related social problems. From Teachings (Suasoriae) survived 7 exercises in the genre of admonitions to the fictional theme. Seneca, discouraged the decline of contemporary oratory, like in these books to his sons and the general public about the greatness of the Roman era rhetoric in Cicero. Following Cato the Elder in a skeptical attitude towards the Greek cunning, Seneca claimed that the Romans of old-time equaled the best achievements of the Greek style. Although by themselves are boring debate, the preamble contains valuable critical judgments, the content characteristics participants in the dialogue, interesting information, historical and literary character. Disputes and Teachings served in the ancient textbook on rhetoric of Cicero. A review of hypothetical cases, as in the writings of Seneca, undoubtedly contributed to the liberalization of Roman law and encouraged the lawyers in the pursuit of justice.