Zeno of Citium

Zeno of Citium (335?–265? B.C.), Cypriot philosopher who founded the Stoic school of philosophy in Athens (301 B.C.). A wealthy merchant forced by shipwreck to remain in Athens, Zeno became fascinated with the life of Socrates and the writings of the Cynics, and abandoned trade for philosophy. After years of study he established his own school. Zeno saw the cosmos as the reference point for human ethics, with a divine intelligence guiding both nature and humanity toward “the city of Zeus,” that is, toward goodness. He felt that natural law superseded civil law, and that the practice of acceptance and moderation were characteristics of a virtuous life. He defined morality as surrender to divine governance. At his death, the Athenian Assembly gave him citizenship and voted him a statue and gold crown.

See also: Stoicism.