The Stoics
The Stoic tradition spans five centuries and three continents, from the Painted Porch in Athens to the imperial court in Rome. These are the philosophers who built it, sustained it, and handed it down.
The Stoic school was founded in Athens around 300 BC and remained active for over five centuries. Its influence on Roman law, Christian theology, Renaissance humanism, and modern cognitive therapy makes it one of the most consequential philosophical traditions in Western history.