# Epaphroditus — Discourses character guide

> Epaphroditus in Discourses by Epictetus.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-i-of-the-things-which-are-in-our-power-and-not-in-our-power

## Who they are

Nero's secretary and former master of Epictetus, mentioned in passing.

## Relationships

### [Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/caesar)

_professional_

Epaphroditus serves as a freedman and advisor to Caesar, a relationship of political dependence and service.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/nero)

_professional_

Epaphroditus serves Nero as a secretary or advisor, entangled in the emperor's volatile court.

### [Nero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/nero)

_professional_

Epaphroditus serves Nero as a secretary or advisor, entangled in the emperor's volatile court.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/book-i)

Epictetus's former master, who sold a shoemaker later valued by Caesar's household, used as an example of valuing things not in our power.

### [Of the Things Which Are in Our Power, and Not in Our Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/i-of-the-things-which-are-in-our-power-and-not-in-our-power)

Nero's freedman who visited Lateranus before his execution.

### [XIX: How We Should Behave to Tyrants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xix-how-we-should-behave-to-tyrants)

Epictetus's former master, who sold a shoemaker as good for nothing, later seen deferring to the same man when he became Caesar's shoemaker.

### [What Is the Law of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxvi-what-is-the-law-of-life)

Mentioned as the master of Epictetus and others, who reacted with amazement to a man complaining about his remaining wealth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/epaphroditus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters