Thank you for your comment! Yes, I think that putting into context can help us understand the whys of its rise, and why people felt it may be useful. But the flaws remain, and I think remained at the time of Roma.

Also, the immense populatity must be in part attributed by who Seneca was, and where he was in the pyramid of power (and associated to whom). Same goes with Marcus Aurelius...a lot of the appeal comes from who he was, that being the emperor of Rome.

Thank you for the thought-provoking comment, Matthew!!