Zeno of Citium (zē`nō, sĭsh`ēəm), c.334–c.262 B.C., Greek philosopher, founder of Stoicism Stoicism (stō`ĭsĭzəm), school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium (in Cyprus) c.300 B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. . He left Cyprus and went to Athens, where he studied under the Cynics, whose teachings left an important impression on his own thought. Although his works have not survived, it is known that Zeno divided philosophy into logic, physics, and ethics, and taught that the first two must serve the last. He attempted to base his stern ethical system on the metaphysical and scientific teachings of Heraclitus, Aristotle, and others, and to forge from these elements a consistent philosophy. Zeno taught in Athens at the Stoa Poecile [Gr.,=painted porch]; his followers therefore came to be known as "Stoics," and his school as "the Porch."

Zeno of Citium

(born c. 335, Citium, Cyprus—died c. 263 BC, Athens) Greek philosopher, founder of Stoicism. He went to Athens c. 312 BC and attended lectures by the Cynics Crates of Thebes (fl. late 4th century BC) and Stilpon of Megara (c. 380–300 BC), as well as lectures at the Academy. He began to teach in the Stoa Poikile (“Painted Colonnade”), whence the name of his philosophy. His system included logic, epistemology, physics, and ethics. He taught that happiness lies in conforming the will to the divine reason, which governs the universe. In logic and epistemology he was influenced by Antisthenes (c. 445–365 BC) and Diodorus Cronus (fl. 4th century BC), in physics by Heracleitus. Only fragmentary quotations from his many treatises have survived.