O papel dos exempla na construção da firmeza de alma em Sêneca

Abstract

This paper purposes to proceed with some reflections about the role of theexempla  concerning the building of soul firmness. In his philosophicalstand, Sêneca had always been interested in a theory that could promotemoral improvement. So, the aport of the exempla was quite spread in Rome,as a rhetorical ornament or as a moral guide, how was in Sêneca’s case. Theconstruction of firmness of the soul is a slowand hard process, so then thenecessity we must look at the ones, who knew how to do with the adversi-ties of fate, and whose presence and memory are also important. Accord-ingly Sêneca, Rutílio, Catão (the new), and Socrates are all examples wemust keep at sight. They were men of courage, who contributed in way thatgo beyond their historical contexts, what makes their lives examples for all human kind. Accordingly Sêneca’s philosophy the resource of the exemplais so important that we must also make efforts to become ourselves great ex-amples too, inspired by these emblematical ones.