Zeno of Citium Biography

Zeno of Citium	Born: 0334-00-00 Birthplace: Citium Died: 0262-00-00 Location of Death: Athens, Greece Cause of Death: Suicide Race: White Field: Philosopher Famous for: Founder of the Stoic school of philosophy
Field: Philosopher

Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy which he taught in Athens, from about 300 BC. Based on the moral ideas of the Cynics, Stoicism laid great emphasis on the goodness and peace of mind which would arise from living a life of virtue in accordance with nature. It would prove to be very successful, and flourished as the dominant philosophy from the Hellenistic period through to the Roman era.

Zeno was born c. 334 BC.[1] He was the son of a merchant and was a merchant himself until he was about 30, when he came to Athens to learn philosophy. The story goes that, after a shipwreck, Zeno wandered into a bookshop in Athens and was attracted to the works of Socrates. He asked the librarian how to find such a man. In response, the librarian pointed to Crates of Thebes, the most famous Cynic living at that time in Greece. Zeno is described as a haggard, tanned person, living a spare, ascetic life. This coincides with the influences of Cynic teaching, and was, at least in part, continued in his Stoic philosophy. In one incident during his tutelage with Crates, he was made to carry a pot of lentil soup around the city. After Zeno began carrying the pot, Crates smashed it with his staff, splattering the lentil soup all over his surprised student. When Zeno began to run off in embarrassment, Crates chided, "Why run away, my little Phoenician? Nothing terrible has befallen you!"[2]

Named for the colonnade (the Stoa Poikile) where he taught, Zeno began teaching the doctrines which were the beginnings of Stoicism. None of Zeno's own works have survived to modern times; however, his teachings have been passed on, including his main concept that "tranquility can best be reached through indifference to pleasure and pain."

Diogenes Laërtius, biographer of the Greek philosophers, left the most extensive writings about Zeno's life with his work Lives of Eminent Philosophers. Although these writings miss deeper introspection into the philosophical ideas of Zeno, the anecdotal descriptions leave a colorful image of the historical figure Zeno.

Zeno preached that "man conquers the world by conquering himself." He lectured his students on the value of apatheia, which he explained to be "the absence of passion." Only by controlling one's emotion and physical desire, he argued, could we develop wisdom and the ability to apply it. By developing an indifference to pain and pleasure through meditation, the practicing Stoic will develop a wisdom stemming from suppressing the influence of passions, and ultimately, will attain wisdom.

Zeno died around 262 BC.[1] Laërtius reports about his death: "As he left the school, he tripped, fell and broke a toe. Hitting the ground with his hand, he cited words of Niobe: "I am coming, why do you call me thus?". Since the Stoic sage was expected to always do what was appropriate (kathekon) and Zeno was very old at the time, he felt it appropriate to die and consequently strangled himself.

During his lifetime, Zeno received appreciation for his philosophical and pedagogical teachings. Amongst other things, Zeno was honored with the golden crown, and a tomb was built in honor of his moral influence on the youth of his era.

The Zeno crater on the Moon is named in his honor.