Epistle to Lucius Gellius

Arrian. Flavii Arriani Quae Exstant Omnia, Volume 2: Scripta Minora et Fragmenta. Roos, A. G., editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1910.

Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a letter addressed by Arrian to his friend Lucius Gellius, serving as the preface to the "Discourses" of the philosopher Epictetus. In this epistle, Arrian explains the background of the publication of the "Discourses", clarifying that he did not write or publish them as his own literary creation. He states that he merely wrote down Epictetus's actual words as personal memoranda in order to preserve the teacher's thoughts and vivid speech as accurately as possible. However, these private records were somehow leaked and published by others without his intent or consent. Ultimately, Arrian emphasizes that the value of the work lies not in its rhetorical polish, but in its raw preservation of Epictetus's original teachings, which aim to move the souls of its readers.