Who Is Zeno? An Introduction to the Founder of Stoicism

Zeno’s loss at sea became the turning point that brought him to Athens and into philosophy. The page presents him as the founder of Stoicism, shaped by Socrates and Crates, who taught at the Stoa Poikile and linked happiness to living in accord with reason, nature, and virtue.

Reading notes

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• After his ship sank, Zeno reached Athens and was introduced to Socrates and Crates.
• He began teaching at the Stoa Poikile, which gave Stoicism its name.
• The core Stoic message is presented as happiness as a good flow of life.
• Happiness is achieved through peace of mind from living virtuously in accordance with reason and nature.
• After his death, the Athenians honored him with a bronze statue and a decree praising his conduct.
• None of Zeno’s writings survive, and the main account comes from Diogenes Laërtius.
• His Republic is described as defending an egalitarian ideal society and a shared way of life.