# From Slavery to Freedom: Epictetus' Path — WHE Article Discussion (2-173)

**URL:** <https://community.worldhistory.org/t/from-slavery-to-freedom-epictetus-path-whe-article-discussion-2-173/18755>\
**Category:** WHE Articles\
**Created:** [January 18, 2012, 8:39am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/from-slavery-to-freedom-epictetus-path-whe-article-discussion-2-173/18755 "2012-01-18T08:39:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
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**Author:** ![JPryst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/jpryst/32/168_2.png) [@JPryst](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/JPryst)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 8:39am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/from-slavery-to-freedom-epictetus-path-whe-article-discussion-2-173/18755/1 "2012-01-18T08:39:40Z")

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The Stoic philosopher Epictetus (l.c. 50- 130 CE) following the example of Socrates, wrote none of his teachings down, preferring to impart his wisdom to his students through class discussions. His student Arrian collected and edited the lectures and discussions he attended in eight books, of which four remain extant, and distilled his master's thoughts in the _Enchiridion_ (`Handbook'). That philosophy was a way of living, not merely an academic discipline, is apparent throughout the _Enchiridion_ and is expanded upon in his other work, the _Discourses._ Though born a slave, Epictetus gained his freedom and taught both in Rome and Greece. He learned Stoic philosophy first from his master and developed the fundamental ideas into a philosophy which he felt could liberate one from the slavery of circumstance.

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_This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at [https://www.worldhistory.org/article/173/from-slavery-to-freedom-epictetus-path/](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/173/from-slavery-to-freedom-epictetus-path/)._

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**Author:** ![system](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/system/32/30_2.png) [@system](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/from-slavery-to-freedom-epictetus-path-whe-article-discussion-2-173/18755/2 "2026-08-01T03:48:09Z")

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Unlisted on August 1, 2026, 3:48am UTC