Diogenes of Babylon facts for kids

Diogenes of Babylon (also known as Diogenes of Seleucia) was an important Stoic philosopher from ancient Greece. He was the leader of the Stoic school in Athens. In 155 BC, he was one of three famous philosophers sent to Rome. Diogenes wrote many books, but sadly, most of his writings have been lost. We only know about his ideas from what other writers quoted later.

His Life Story

Diogenes was born in a place called Seleucia on the Tigris in Babylonia. He studied in Athens under a philosopher named Chrysippus. Later, Diogenes became the head of the Stoic school in Athens. This happened in the 2nd century BC. Some of his students included Panaetius and Antipater of Tarsus. They also became leaders of the school after him. Diogenes followed Chrysippus's ideas very closely. He was especially good at dialectic, which is a way of discussing ideas logically.

In 155 BC, Diogenes traveled to Rome. He went with two other philosophers, Carneades and Critolaus. Their mission was to ask the Roman Senate to reduce a large fine. Athens had been fined 500 talents for attacking a town called Oropos. Diogenes and the others gave speeches to many groups and then to the Senate. People liked Diogenes' speeches because he spoke in a calm and sensible way.

The Roman writer Cicero mentioned that Diogenes had passed away by 150 BC. Another writer, Lucian, said Diogenes lived to be 80 years old. This means he was likely born around 230 BC. However, some clues suggest he might have lived a bit longer, possibly until 140 BC.

What He Wrote

Cicero called Diogenes "a great and important Stoic." Many of his writings were found in papyrus rolls. These rolls were discovered in the ruins of a villa in Herculaneum. This was a city buried by a volcano. In these writings, Diogenes is mentioned very often.

Diogenes wrote several works. We mostly know their titles today. Here are some of them:

• Dialectic Art – This was about logical discussion.
• On Divination – This might have been about predicting the future.
• On Athena – This was likely about the Greek goddess Athena.
• On the Ruling Faculty of the Soul – This probably explored how our minds control us.
• On Speaking – This was about how we use language.
• On Noble Birth – This discussed what it means to be well-born.
• On Laws – This was about rules and justice.

It also seems he wrote a lot about Music and Rhetoric. Rhetoric is the art of speaking or writing effectively. We know some of his ideas on these topics from other writers. Cicero also hinted that Diogenes wrote about other important subjects. These included duty and what makes a good life.

His Ideas on Music

We know about Diogenes' thoughts on music from a text by Philodemus. Diogenes believed that music could do more than just calm our feelings. He thought listening to music could bring balance and harmony to our minds. He compared it to how eating well and exercising keep our bodies healthy. Diogenes felt music could bring health to the mind. He even thought it could help with mental problems.

Music naturally encourages us to act. Diogenes gave the example of a trumpet. A trumpet, or other military instrument, can inspire soldiers to be brave. For Diogenes, music was an art that could lead people to be good and virtuous.