Born Enslaved in Hierapolis
Born into slavery in Hierapolis, a city in Phrygia known for its hot springs. His very name means 'acquired.' His master, Epaphroditus, was a freedman of Nero, once a slave himself.
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Epictetus was born enslaved in Hierapolis. His master Epaphroditos, himself a freedman of Nero, allowed him to study with Musonius Rufus. After gaining his freedom, he was banished from Rome with all other philosophers by Domitian and established a school in Nicopolis, on the western coast of Greece. He wrote nothing. His student Arrian recorded his lectures as the Discourses and distilled them into the short Handbook (Enchiridion). His central teaching is the distinction between what is up to us (our judgments, desires, choices) and what is not (everything else). Master that distinction and you are free, no matter your circumstances.
