|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zeno of Kitium was born in Larnaca - then known as Kitium - during the Hellenistic Period, in 334 BC. He is considered to be one of the greatest philosophers of his time and is the founder of Soicism - one of the boldest and most innovative schools of thought to emerge from the time. He is not to be mistaken for Zeno of Elea, who is probably more famous because he came up with a few paradoxes that have gone down in history. Zeno was at the height of his powers between 300 and 260 BC. Although he was born in Larnaca, he studied in Athens under the Platonists, Crates and Xenocrates. While in Athens, he developed a contempt for worldly goods and riches of any sort and preferred to laze around in the sun eating figs. Most of what we know of Zeno comes from Diogenes Laertius. Laertius tells us that he didn't like large groups, and it wasn't until later in life that he began to speak to large groups. There were times when he was quite poor. On one occasion he couldn't pay his resident alien tax and the Athenians sold him as a slave. He was later rescued by a friend and set free. He was later honoured by the Athenians who built him a large tomb and a golden crown. |