Later Greeks and Romans

Question 1

What were the two periods which stretched between the deaths of Alexander the Great and St Augustine of Hippo?

Answer 1

The Hellenistic and Imperial periods

Question 2

Which two philosophical schools were dominant in the Hellenistic and Imperial periods?

Answer 2

1) Epicureanism

2) Stoicism

Question 3

Which philosophical tradition was an exclusively ethical outlook and way of life, with no logical, epistemic or cosmological theories involved?

Answer 3

Cynicism

Question 4

A focus on ‘ataraxia’ was major feature of philosophy in this period. What does this term mean?

Answer 4

Peace of mind

Question 5

Who was the founder of Cynicism?

Answer 5

Antisthenes

Question 6

Where was Antisthenes from?

Answer 6

Athens

Question 7

What were Antisthenes’ dates?

Answer 7

445-365 BCE

Question 8

Which famous sophist was Antisthenes’ first teacher?

Answer 8

Gorgias

Question 9

Which famous philosopher was Antisthenes’ later teacher?

Answer 9

Socrates

Question 10

Who was the most famous of the Cynics?

Answer 10

Diogenes

Question 11

Antisthenes was a ‘nothos’. What does this mean?

Answer 11

‘Bastard born’ (his parents weren’t married)

Question 12

What were three essential positions of the Cynical outlook?

Answer 12

1) Indifference to convention
2) Continence (self-restraint)
3) Hardihood (boldness)

Question 13

Where was Diogenes from?

Answer 13

Sinope

Question 14

What were Diogenes’ dates?

Answer 14

412-323 BCE

Question 15

Why did Diogenes go to Athens

Answer 15

He was banished from Sinope for debasing the coinage

Question 16

Which famous philosopher did Diogenes have a ‘sparky adversarial relationship’ with?

Answer 16

Plato

Question 17

What was Diogenes chief tenet?

Answer 17

One should live simply and naturally

Question 18

Where was Diogenes said to have been sold into slavery?

Answer 18

Corinth

Question 19

How did Diogenes think one could reach eudaimonia (happiness) and clarity of mind (the goals of life)?

Answer 19

Askesis (asceticism)

Question 20

According to Diogenes, what should be spurned when they come in conflict with the simple, natural, truly virtuous life?

Answer 20

The laws of society

Question 21

Which of the Cynics was born to great wealth but gave it away after hearing Diogenes?

Answer 21

Crates of Thebes

Question 22

Who was the wife of Crates of Thebes? (Also a Cynic)

Answer 22

Hipparchia of Maroneia

Question 23

What were Crates and Hipparchia well known and respected for?

Answer 23

Their good humor and their ability to sooth quarrels with kindness

Question 24

What was the aim for Crates and Hipparchia and how was it to be achieved?

Answer 24

Ataraxia (peace of mind) achieved by freedom from the desires and aims of convention

Question 25

Where was Epicurus from?

Answer 25

Samos

Question 26

What were Epicurus’ dates?

Answer 26

341-270 BCE

Question 27

Where did Epicurus move at the age of 18?

Answer 27

Athens

Question 28

What was Epicurus’ school in Athens known as?

Answer 28

The Garden

Question 29

What was the fundamental stuff of nature according to Epicurus?

Answer 29

Atoms