Lucius Annaeus Seneca, commonly known as Seneca the Younger, was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and playwright who lived from about 4 BCE to 65 CE. He was a prominent intellectual figure during the early Roman Empire and is known for his stoic philosophy. Seneca's written works include essays, letters, and tragedies that explore themes such as ethics, virtue, and the nature of the human condition. His moral essays and Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium (Moral Letters to Lucilius) are among his most celebrated contributions to Stoic philosophy. As an advisor to Emperor Nero, he played a significant role in politics until he fell out of favor and was forced to take his own life. Despite the controversies surrounding his political career, Seneca's philosophical works have had a lasting impact and continue to be studied for their insights into wisdom and practical philosophy.