Stoicism facts for kids

Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism, in the Farnese collection, Naples – Photo by Paolo Monti, 1969.

Stoicism was an ancient Greek way of thinking about life. It started in Athens around 300 BC with a philosopher named Zeno of Citium. Stoicism teaches us how to live a good and happy life by focusing on what we can control.

A main idea in Stoicism is understanding the difference between what we can control (like our thoughts and actions) and what we can't (like the weather or what other people do). Stoics believed that true happiness comes from living in agreement with nature and using our reason to make good choices. They thought that having a strong inner will, called prohairesis, that matches the way the world works, was the best way to live.

Stoicism became very popular in both Greece and the Roman Empire. It was studied and followed for many centuries until about 529 AD. At that time, the Emperor Justinian I ordered all philosophy schools to close. He felt that their ideas, which were based on ancient beliefs, did not fit with his Christian faith.

Important Stoic Thinkers

Many wise people followed and taught Stoic ideas throughout history. Here are some of the most famous ones:

• Antipater of Tarsus (210 BC–129 BC)
• Cato the Younger (94 BC–46 BC) – A Roman politician known for his strong principles.
• Chrysippus (280 BC–204 BC) – He helped develop many Stoic ideas.
• Cleanthes (of Assos) (330 BC–232 BC) – He took over Zeno's school.
• Diodotus (~120 BC–59 BC) – He taught the famous Roman speaker Cicero.
• Diogenes of Babylon (230 BC–150 BC)
• Epictetus (55 AD–135 AD) – A former slave who became a great Stoic teacher.
• Hierocles (2nd century AD)
• Marcus Aurelius (121 AD–180 AD) – A Roman Emperor who wrote a famous book of Stoic thoughts called Meditations.
• Panaetius of Rhodes (185 BC–109 BC)
• Posidonius of Apameia (~135 BC–51 BC)
• Seneca (4 BC–65 AD) – A Roman statesman and writer.
  • His friends and students included: Musonius Rufus, Rubellius Plautus, Thrasea Paetus
• Zeno of Citium (332 BC–262 BC) – The person who started the Stoic school of thought.
  • His students included: Aristo of Chios, Herillus of Carthage

Images for kids

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  Zeno of Citium, a copy in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow

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  Antisthenes, who started a different philosophy school called Cynicism

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  Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor who was also a Stoic philosopher

See also

In Spanish: Estoicismo para niños