La virtù come compagna e la ‘compagnia’ delle virtù in Seneca e nella tradizione filosofica

Abstract

This essay starts from an in-depth reading of Consolatio ad Helviam matrem 9.2, focusing on the nexus comitatus/chorus virtutum and on similar expressions by Seneca and Cicero. I take into consideration the Roman cultural and social context as well as the philosophical influences within Stoicism. Several aspects, both allegoric and iconographic, reflect the influence of an ancient tradition marked by the presence of personified Virtue. Besides, it must be assumed that the image of the comitatus/chorus virtutum, might have been employed not merely by Cicero and Seneca, but also in Brutus’ De virtute.