Who Was Arrian?

Arrian of Nicomedia

Flavius Arrianus or Arrian of Nicomedia (c. 86 – c.146 CE), the scribe of Epictetus’ Discourses, was a distinguished Greek historian, military commander, public official, and philosopher. He was a student of Epictetus, presumably in his late teens, and took extensive notes of Epictetus’ discourses. They were presumed to be dialogues between Epictetus and his pupils and other visitors and not notes of class room lectures. These discourses were collected in eight notebooks, only four of them survive.

He was distinguished in many fields, For example, his Anabasis of Alexander is considered the best source companion of Alexander the Great. Among his other works is also a history of India.

The authenticity of Discourses

Epictetus did not directly author Discourses or Enchiridion or any of the other things attributed to him. It was his illustrious student who kept notes of Epictetus Discourses, presumably for personal use.

Given that these were the notes of a young student, how much can we rely on them? How authentic a record are they of Epictetus’ teachings?

Many scholars considered the question and generally believe that Arrian’s Discourses to be a faithful recording of the teacher. There are many reasons for this:

• Arrian was intellectually distinguished.
• His other books read differently. They were written in a more formal Greek rather than in the colloquial Greek (Koine Greek) used in Discourses.
• Discourses was published while Epictetus was still alive. So if it was a misinterpretation of Epictetus teachings, either he or his followers would have challenged it. No such challenge appears to be on record.
• The discourses are highly repetitive. We would assume that if the discourses were made up, they would be more carefully crafted, especially by someone of Arrain’s stature.
• The same tone of Epictetus’ voice is evident in all discourses.

So it is reasonable for us to assume that Arrian’s Discourses is an authentic (or near-authentic) record of the master’s teachings.

The publication of Discourses

It appears that these books of Epictetus’ Discourses were published without Arrian’s knowledge or consent, as he explains in his letter to the Roman politician and supporter of Cicero, Lucius Gellius (presumably a friend). Arrian seemed to have been quite surprised by the publication of his personal notes, as his letter shows.

Arrian’s Letter to Lucius Gellius

Greetings.

I neither composed the Discourses of Epictetus in such a manner as things of this nature are commonly composed, nor did I myself produce them to public view, any more than I composed them. But whatever sentiments I heard from his own mouth, the very same I endeavoured to set down in the very same words, so far as possible, and to preserve as memorials for my own use, of his manner of thinking, and freedom of speech.

These Discourses are such as one person would naturally deliver from his own thoughts, extempore, to another; not such as he would prepare to be read by numbers afterwards. Yet, notwithstanding this, I cannot tell how, without either my consent or knowledge, they have fallen into the hands of the public. But it is of little consequence to me, if I do not appear an able writer, and of none to Epictetus, if any one treats his Discourses with contempt; since it was very evident, even when he uttered them, that he aimed at nothing more than to excite his hearers to virtue. If they produce that one effect, they have in them what, I think, philosophical discourses ought to have. And should they fail of it, let the readers however be assured, that when Epictetus himself pronounced them, his audience could not help being affected in the very manner he intended they should. If by themselves they have less efficacy, perhaps it is my fault, or perhaps it is unavoidable.

Farewell.

Appendix 2