The Life of Cleanthes

This book presents the fascinating lives of twenty-six ancient Stoics, from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, organized in digestible mini-biographies. It vividly brings to life the stories of key Stoic philosophers, such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Cicero, and demonstrates how their philosophies shaped their actions and legacies. The authors intertwine historical context with philosophical insights, making the book both educational and entertaining. It shows how Stoic principles can be applied to modern life, emphasizing virtues like Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom.

This extensive work, written in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, provides historical accounts and biographical sketches of prominent Greek philosophers. It divides Greek philosophy into two main schools: the Ionian, from Anaximander to Theophrastus, and the Italian, from Pythagoras to Epicurus. The text includes insights into the thoughts, contributions, and contexts of these philosophers, making it a crucial source for the history of Greek philosophy. Despite its value, the work is often criticized for its lack of critical evaluation of sources and focus on trivial details.