This morning we’re looking at the Ancient Stoics. Stoicism is a philosophy that has had a significant impact on Western thought and culture. Originating in ancient Greece and later developed by the Romans, Stoicism teaches that us that we should strive to live in accordance with nature and accept whatever happens in the world with equanimity. The influential figures from these era’s wrote extensively on how to adapt the Stoic way of life, and taught us to apply Stoic principles to our daily living.
So, who were these thinkers?
Zeno of Citium: was the founder of Stoicism and was born in Citium (on the island of Cyprus) around 334 BCE. He was a student of the Cynic philosopher Crates of Thebes and developed the Stoic philosophy from the teachings of the Cynics.
Cleanthes: was a Greek Stoic philosopher and a student of Zeno of Citium. He succeeded Zeno as the head of the Stoic school in Athens. He wrote a hymn to Zeus that is considered one of the most significant texts in Stoic theology.
Chrysippus: was a Greek Stoic philosopher and a student of Zeno of Citium. He was considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of Stoicism, and is said to have written over 700 books on the subject.
Panaetius: was a Greek Stoic philosopher and a student of Posidonius. He is considered to have been one of the most important figures in the development of the Stoic philosophy in the 2nd century BCE. He is known to have influenced many Roman Stoics, including the likes of Cicero and Seneca.
Diogenes of Babylon: was a Stoic philosopher of the Middle Stoa and was a head of the Stoic school in Athens around the 2nd century BCE. He was a student of Antipater of Tarsus and wrote several books on logic and physics.
Gaius Musonius Rufus: was a Roman Stoic philosopher, who was active during the 1st century CE. He taught Stoicism in Rome and his teachings were noted for their emphasis on the practical application of Stoic philosophy.
Epictetus: was a Greek Stoic philosopher and was born as a slave in Phrygia (in modern-day Turkey) around 55 CE. He was freed and went on to become a teacher of Stoicism in Rome, and then Greece. At this time he was a student of Musonius Rufus. His teachings were compiled by his student Arrian in a book called the Discourses.
Seneca the younger: was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright. He was born in Cordoba, Spain around 4 BCE and was a tutor and advisor to the Roman emperor Nero. He wrote several letters and essays on Stoic philosophy, including "On the Shortness of Life" and "On Anger".
Marcus Aurelius: was a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, born in Rome in 121 CE. He wrote a personal journal, the Meditations, which is considered a classic of Stoic literature.
A special mention:
Cicero: was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and writer, who lived during the 1st century BCE. He was heavily influenced by the Stoic philosophy and wrote several works on the subject, including "On Ends" and "On Duties". He is considered to have been one of the most important figures in the transmission of Stoicism to the Roman world.
Quote for the weekend ahead
Forget everything else. Keep hold of this alone and remember it: Each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see. The span we live is small—small as the corner of the earth in which we live it. Small as even the greatest renown, passed from mouth to mouth by short-lived stick figures, ignorant alike of themselves and those long dead.
— Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations