The philosophers
Marcus Aurelius
121–180 AD
Roman emperor who wrote private notes to himself on a military campaign. We know them as the Meditations.
241 lines in the library
Epictetus
c. 50–135 AD
Born enslaved, became the most influential Stoic teacher of his age. His student Arrian wrote down the Discourses and the Enchiridion.
83 lines in the library
Heraclitus
c. 535–475 BC
Philosopher of Ephesus who taught that everything flows. Only fragments of his book survive.
36 lines in the library
Diogenes
c. 412–323 BC
The Cynic who lived in a jar in Athens and told Alexander the Great to get out of his sun.
24 lines in the library
Socrates
c. 470–399 BC
The Athenian who wrote nothing and questioned everyone. We know him through Plato.
16 lines in the library
Aristotle
384–322 BC
Plato's student and Alexander's tutor, who wrote on virtue as a practiced habit.
9 lines in the library
Epicurus
341–270 BC
Taught that a simple life among friends is the good life.
10 lines in the library
Antisthenes
c. 446–366 BC
Student of Socrates and forerunner of the Cynics.
11 lines in the library
Plato
c. 428–348 BC
Founder of the Academy in Athens and author of the dialogues.
3 lines in the library
Zeno of Citium
c. 334–262 BC
A shipwrecked merchant who founded Stoicism on a painted porch in Athens.
8 lines in the library
The Spartans
8th–4th century BC
Laconic sayings from Lycurgus, Leonidas, Dienekes and the mothers of Sparta, recorded by Herodotus and Plutarch.
71 lines in the library
The Seven Sages
6th century BC
Thales, Pittacus, Cleobulus, Periander and the other sages whose maxims were carved at Delphi.
7 lines in the library