Zeno of Citium (334-262 BC) was a Greek philosopher and the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. He was born on the island of Cyprus but spent most of his life in Athens, where he studied under the philosopher Crates of Thebes.
Zeno is best known for his philosophy of Stoicism, which emphasized the development of self-control, rationality, and inner calm in the face of adversity. Stoics believed that individuals should focus on the things they can control, rather than worrying about things outside of their control. They also emphasized the importance of living in accordance with nature and living a virtuous life.
Zeno’s philosophy was influential in the ancient world and continued to be influential throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Many Roman emperors, including Marcus Aurelius, were adherents of Stoicism.
Zeno’s teachings were initially passed down orally, but they were later written down in the form of his book, the “Republic.” Unfortunately, most of Zeno’s works have been lost over time, and only fragments of his teachings survive today.
Despite this, Zeno’s legacy lives on, as his philosophy of Stoicism continues to inspire individuals seeking to develop resilience, inner calm, and a sense of purpose in their lives.
Image attribution: Jeremy Weate from Abuja, Nigeria, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons