Zeno of Sidon

Zeno of Sidon (c. 150-c. 75 BCTiziano Dorandi, Chapter 2: Chronology, in Algra et al. (1999) The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy, page 52. Cambridge.) was an Epicurean philosopher. His writings do not survive, but there are some epitomes of his lectures preserved among the writings of his pupil Philodemus.

Life

Zeno was from the city of Sidon in Phoenicia as his name implies. He was a contemporary of Cicero, who heard him when at Athens.Cicero, de Natura Deorum, i. 21.Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, iii. 17.

He was sometimes termed the "leading Epicurean" (). Cicero states that Zeno was contemptuous of other philosophers, and even called Socrates "the Attic Buffoon."Cicero, de Natura Deorum, i. 34. He was a disciple of Apollodorus, and Cicero and Diogenes Laërtius both describe him as an accurate and polished thinker.

Philosophy

Zeno held that happiness is not merely dependent upon present enjoyment and prosperity, but also on a reasonable expectation of their continuance and appreciation.

Zeno's writings have not survived, but among the...
Read More