Influence of Stoicism

What is Stoicism? Who invented it? When was it invented?

School of philosophy developed by the Greek thinker Zeno of Cyprus in the early 3rd Century BC

What were the 4 cardinal virtues of a stoic that they believed achieved goodness?

a) Wise

b) Tolerant

c) Just

d) Virtuous

What is the main philosophical viewpoint of stoicism?

One should look to reason and logic and resist destructive emotions like anger

How did some of Rome’s aristocracy come to follow this philosophy?

Through Hellenization some of Rome’s aristocracy absorbed and adapted Stoicism to fit their values and ancestral traditions (mos maiorum)

What do Swain and Davies (2010) state about Cato’s stoicism?

‘Cato’s firmly held convictions verged upon bigotry, and his inability to compromise led him into obstinate and resolute behaviour which eventually proved perilous’