Glossary of Philosophers and Their Contributions to Stoicism

Achilles

Background: Achilles was an ancient commentator known for his work on Aratus, an influential poet of the Hellenistic period.
Significance: His insights into ancient cosmological views intersect with Stoic interpretations of the universe, shedding light on how Stoics like Zeno and Cleanthes may have viewed the cosmos.
Dates: 3rd century AD.
Works: Commentary on Aratus. The number of surviving works is limited, with only fragments and references available.

Aëtius (Preserved in Pseudo-Plutarch)

Background: Aëtius was a historian of philosophy whose doxographies provide a critical record of early philosophical thought, including Stoicism.
Significance: His works are crucial for understanding early Stoic doctrines, particularly in physics and theology. He documented the views of many philosophers, providing a comparative analysis that highlights the uniqueness of Stoic thought.
Dates: 1st century AD.
Works: Aëtius’ work is primarily preserved in Pseudo-Plutarch’s "On the Doctrines of the Philosophers." The original texts are lost, but his ideas survive through these secondary sources.

Alexander of Aphrodisias

Background: Alexander of Aphrodisias was an Aristotelian philosopher and commentator, often referred to as the "Exegete" due to his extensive work on Aristotle.
Significance: He critiqued Stoic logic and metaphysics, highlighting the differences and debates between Aristotelian and Stoic philosophies. His critiques helped refine Stoic arguments in response to Aristotelian logic.
Dates: c. 200 AD.
Works: Numerous commentaries on Aristotle’s works, particularly "Topics" and "Metaphysics." While several of his writings survive, others are known only through references in later works.

Ammonius

Background: Ammonius was a Neoplatonist philosopher known for his commentaries on Aristotle’s "De Interpretatione."
Significance: His works engage with Stoic logic and metaphysics, providing a critical perspective from the Neoplatonist school. Ammonius’ interpretations offer a bridge between Stoicism and later philosophical traditions.
Dates: c. 5th century AD.
Works: Commentary on Aristotle’s "De Interpretatione." Only fragments and references survive.

Calcidius

Background: Calcidius was a 4th-century philosopher and translator known for his Latin translation and commentary of Plato's Timaeus.
Significance: His work provided one of the few available Latin versions of Plato's dialogues during the Middle Ages, significantly influencing medieval philosophy and theology. Calcidius’ commentary includes discussions on cosmology and metaphysics that intersect with Stoic ideas.
Dates: Active in the 4th century AD.
Works: Translation and commentary on Plato's Timaeus. The surviving portions include up to section 53c of the Timaeus, along with extensive commentary.

Cicero

Background: Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher who played a significant role in popularizing Greek philosophy in Rome.
Significance: Although not a Stoic himself, Cicero preserved and disseminated Stoic ideas, particularly in ethics and natural law. His critical examinations of Stoicism offer valuable insights into the philosophy’s strengths and weaknesses.
Dates: 106–43 BC.
Works: Notable works include "Academica," "De Finibus," and "Tusculanae Disputationes." Many of his works survive, providing a comprehensive view of his philosophical inquiries.

Diogenes Laërtius

Background: Diogenes Laërtius was a biographer of Greek philosophers, whose work "Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers" is a key source for the history of ancient philosophy.
Significance: His biographies provide valuable insights into the lives and teachings of Stoic philosophers like Zeno, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus. Although not a Stoic, his work is indispensable for studying the history of Stoicism.
Dates: c. 3rd century AD.
Works: "Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers." This work survives in its entirety and is a primary source for many ancient philosophies.

Epictetus

Background: Epictetus was a former slave who became a prominent Stoic philosopher, known for his teachings on ethics and practical philosophy.
Significance: Epictetus’ discourses, as recorded by his student Arrian, emphasize the importance of personal responsibility and the mastery of one’s own mind and actions.
Dates: c. 50–135 AD.
Works: "Discourses," "Enchiridion" (Handbook). These works survive and are central texts in the study of Stoicism.

Eusebius of Caesarea

Background: Eusebius was a bishop, historian, and Christian polemicist known as the "Father of Church History" for his work in recording early Christianity.
Significance: His work Preparation for the Gospel (Praeparatio Evangelica) preserves many excerpts from earlier philosophical writings, including those of Stoic philosophers, which would otherwise have been lost. This makes him an important source for studying ancient philosophy and its intersection with early Christian thought.
Dates: Circa 260–340 AD.
Works: Ecclesiastical History, Preparation for the Gospel, Demonstration of the Gospel.

Galen

Background: Galen was a prominent physician and philosopher in the Roman Empire, known for his contributions to medicine and his philosophical writings.
Significance: Galen critiqued Stoic psychology, particularly the Stoic concept of the soul and incorporeal qualities. His works contributed to the development of medical and philosophical thought, often challenging Stoic doctrines.
Dates: 129–c. 216 AD.
Works: Numerous medical and philosophical treatises, including "On Incorporeal Qualities." Many of his works survive, though some are known only through later references.

Hierocles

Background: Hierocles was a Stoic philosopher known for his work on ethics and social philosophy.
Significance: He is noted for his concept of oikeiosis, the idea of concentric circles representing one's relationships with others, starting from oneself and expanding outward to family, community, and humanity. His writings contribute significantly to the understanding of Stoic ethics and the concept of natural affection.
Dates: 2nd century AD.
Works: Fragments of his ethical writings are preserved in Stobaeus' Anthology, particularly from his work On Duties (Ethical Fragments).

Iamblichus

Background: Iamblichus was a Syrian Neoplatonist philosopher and a student of Porphyry. He played a significant role in developing Neoplatonism.
Significance: Although not a Stoic, Iamblichus engaged with Stoic ideas in his philosophical works, particularly in his discussions on the soul and metaphysics. His writings provide context to Stoic thought and its influence on later philosophical traditions.
Dates: Circa 245–325 AD.
Works: On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Life of Pythagoras, On the Soul (De Anima). His works survive in varying degrees, offering insights into ancient metaphysical thought.

Marcus Aurelius

Background: Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, known for his personal writings that reflect Stoic principles.
Significance: His work, "Meditations," offers a profound insight into Stoic philosophy as applied to the challenges of leadership and personal conduct.
Dates: 121–180 AD.
Works: "Meditations." This work survives in its entirety and remains a seminal text in Stoic philosophy.

Nemesius of Emesa

Background: Nemesius was a Christian philosopher and bishop of Emesa (modern-day Homs, Syria).
Significance: He is known for his work On the Nature of Man, which integrates Christian theology with philosophical ideas from Plato, Aristotle, and Stoicism. His discussions on the soul and human nature are valuable for understanding the intersection between Christian thought and Stoic philosophy.
Dates: Late 4th century AD.
Works: On the Nature of Man (De Natura Hominis), which survives and has been influential in both theological and philosophical studies.

Origen

Background: Origen was an early Christian theologian and philosopher from Alexandria, known for his scholarly works and attempts to synthesize Christian doctrine with Greek philosophy.
Significance: Origen's writings engage with philosophical concepts prevalent in his time, including those of the Stoics. His work On First Principles discusses the nature of the soul, free will, and the cosmos, shedding light on Stoic influences on early Christian thought.
Dates: Circa 184–253 AD.
Works: On First Principles (De Principiis), Against Celsus (Contra Celsum), numerous biblical commentaries. Many of his works survive, though some only in fragmentary form or in Latin translations.

Philo of Alexandria

Background: Philo was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher from Alexandria who sought to harmonize Jewish scripture with Greek philosophy.
Significance: Philo's allegorical interpretations of the Hebrew Bible incorporate Platonic and Stoic philosophical concepts. His works provide insight into how Stoic ideas influenced Jewish and subsequently Christian thought.
Dates: Circa 20 BC–50 AD.
Works: Allegorical Interpretations of the Laws, On the Creation of the World, On the Special Laws. His extensive writings survive and are crucial for understanding Hellenistic Judaism.

Plutarch

Background: Plutarch was a Platonist philosopher, biographer, and essayist, best known for his "Parallel Lives" and "Moralia."
Significance: Plutarch’s critical assessments of Stoic ethics and psychology are influential in understanding the philosophical debates of his time. His challenges to Stoic ideas led to further development and defense of Stoic philosophy.
Dates: c. 46–c. 120 AD.
Works: "Moralia," "Parallel Lives," and various philosophical essays. Most of his works survive and are widely studied.

Seneca

Background: Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright, often considered one of the most prominent Stoic thinkers of his time.
Significance: Seneca’s writings blend Stoic principles with practical advice on ethics, offering a Roman perspective on Stoicism. His letters and essays are central to the study of Stoic philosophy and its application to daily life.
Dates: c. 4 BC – 65 AD.
Works: "Letters on Ethics," "On the Shortness of Life," "On Anger." Many of his works survive and continue to influence modern Stoic thought.

Sextus Empiricus

Background: Sextus Empiricus was a Skeptic philosopher associated with Pyrrhonism, known for his comprehensive critiques of dogmatic philosophies, including Stoicism.
Significance: His critiques of Stoic epistemology and metaphysics prompted Stoics like Chrysippus to address and refine their doctrines. Sextus’ works are essential for understanding the intellectual challenges faced by Stoicism.
Dates: c. 160–210 AD.
Works: "Outlines of Pyrrhonism," "Against the Mathematicians." These works survive in their entirety and are crucial for studying ancient skepticism.

Simplicius

Background: Simplicius was a Neoplatonist commentator on Aristotle, known for his detailed exegesis of Aristotelian philosophy.
Significance: Simplicius preserved and interpreted Stoic ideas, particularly in relation to Aristotelian philosophy. His commentaries provide a critical perspective on Stoic metaphysics and their intersection with other philosophical traditions.
Dates: c. 490–560 AD.
Works: Commentaries on Aristotle’s "Categories" and "Physics." Several of his commentaries survive, offering a rich resource for studying ancient philosophy.

Stobaeus

Background: John Stobaeus was a 5th-century anthologist who compiled a large collection of extracts from ancient Greek writers.
Significance: His anthology preserves numerous fragments from lost works of Stoic philosophers, making it a crucial source for studying Stoic philosophy.
Dates: 5th century AD.
Works: Anthology (also known as Extracts or Florilegium), a collection of excerpts on ethics, physics, and logic.

Syrianus

Background: Syrianus was a Neoplatonist philosopher and commentator on Aristotle, influential in the development of later Platonic thought.
Significance: Engaged with Stoic metaphysics, Syrianus’ works show the influence of Stoicism on later philosophical traditions, particularly in the areas of metaphysics and cosmology.
Dates: c. 5th century AD.
Works: Commentary on Aristotle’s "Metaphysics." Only fragments of his work survive, but they are crucial for understanding the dialogue between Stoicism and Neoplatonism.

Tertullian

Background: Tertullian was an early Christian author from Carthage and a prolific writer in Latin Christian literature.
Significance: In his work On the Soul, Tertullian engages with philosophical ideas about the soul, often critiquing or adapting Stoic concepts. His writings reflect the interaction between Stoicism and early Christian theology.
Dates: Circa 155–240 AD.
Works: On the Soul (De Anima), Apology (Apologeticus), Against Marcion (Adversus Marcionem). Many of his works survive and are important for understanding early Christian thought.

Zeno of Citium

Background: Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy, establishing the core principles of Stoic thought.
Significance: Zeno’s teachings laid the foundation for Stoic philosophy, emphasizing logic, ethics, and physics. His doctrines on living in accordance with nature and the rational order of the cosmos are central to Stoic thought.
Dates: c. 334–262 BC.
Works: Zeno’s original works are lost, but his ideas are preserved through the writings of his students and later Stoic philosophers.

Glossary of Philosophers and Their Contributions to Stoicism

Achilles

Aëtius (Preserved in Pseudo-Plutarch)

Alexander of Aphrodisias

Ammonius

Calcidius

Cicero

Diogenes Laërtius

Epictetus

Eusebius of Caesarea

Galen

Hierocles

Iamblichus

Marcus Aurelius

Nemesius of Emesa

Origen

Philo of Alexandria

Plutarch

Seneca

Sextus Empiricus

Simplicius

Stobaeus

Syrianus

Tertullian

Zeno of Citium

Glossary of Philosophers Stoic Philosophers Glossary

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