Epictetus

Epictetus (c. AD 50-135) was a Greek Stoic philosopher born into slavery in the Roman Empire who later gained his freedom and established a school of philosophy in Nicopolis, Greece. Known for his practical approach to Stoic ethics, Epictetus emphasized personal responsibility, self-control, and the cultivation of inner freedom regardless of external circumstances. His teachings were preserved by his student Arrian in the Discourses and the concise summary known as The Handbook (Enchiridion), which remains one of the most influential works of Stoic philosophy.