Arrian
Author Arrian, writes essentially in behalf of Epictetus. He is both summarizing a previous book of his elder's and emphasizing his own area of study: practicality. Concerned with the mental health of his readers, Arrian writes to teach them how to correctly discern reality as well as how to respond ethically in any situation. He's presenting a framework and particular instruction so that the reader may be equipped to practice, train, and master the ideas.
Epictetus
He was a Greek philosopher belonging to the generation right before Arrian. His philosophical doctrines on Stoicism were widely circulated in Greece and Rome, but he was condemned by the government. Born a slave, Epictetus ends his life an exile in Greece. His book Discourses of Epictetus is the source material for Arrias' edition.
The Stoic and the Olympian
Arrian describes the path of the amateur to attaining real stoicism in comparison to the athlete training for the Olympics. Both must be willing to completely dedicate themselves to the craft for years. For the stoic, his exercise is mental, involving his decision-making. Thought the athlete's journey is physical, he approaches it from a perspective of daily application. This is Arrian's premise: mental health can be achieved by daily, careful practice.
