The Discourses of Epictetus, tr. by P.E Matheson, [1916], at sacred-texts.com

The Discourses.

Book III. Notes.

3-1 'The pancratium consisted of boxing and wrestling, and was supposed to test all a man's powers. The pentathlon included running, jumping, quoit-throwing, spear-throwing, and wrestling.' (Matheson)

3-2 'Young men of 18-20, under military training.' (Matheson)

3-3 Cf. Book I, note 7.

3-4 'Such special commissioners, sent to set in order the affairs of the "free cities", date from Trajan's reign.' (Matheson)

3-5 These men are otherwise unknown. Matheson suggests that they were freedmen who had risen to high position.

3-6 A technical Stoic term.

3-7 I.e., a representative of the town at Rome.

3-8 A very valuable material.

3-9 A reference to the Stoic doctrine, ultimately derived from Heraclitus, that the universe was periodically consumed by fire.

3-10 'Trajan after his conquest of Dacia.' (Matheson)

3-11 'It is the drivel of the sickly novice in philosophy.' (Matheson)

3-12 Cf. the Manual, chap. 29.

3-13 Probably a slave.

3-14 'The Cynic whom Epictetus describes is the ideal Stoic teacher, who is distinguished from the ordinary Stoic by a more austere and isolated life.' (Matheson)

3-15 'Used to get a smooth skin.' (Matheson)

3-16 Cf. Xenophon, Memorabilia, init.

3-17 'Probably refers to the story that Nicocreon ordered Anaxarchus’ tongue to be cut out, whereupon he bit it off himself and spat it in Nicocreon's face. Cf. Diogenes Laertius, IX. 59.' (Matheson)

3-18 'A saying attributed to Solon, Anaxagoras, and Xenophon.' (Matheson)

3-19 The name of a slave.