

Did Alexander the Great meets Diogenes?Īccording to legend, Alexander the Great came to visit the philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. The ideas of Diogenes, like those of most other Cynics, must be arrived at indirectly. Diogenes raised himself up a little when he saw so many people coming towards him, and fixed his eyes upon Alexander.Īlong with Antisthenes and Crates of Thebes, Diogenes is considered one of the founders of Cynicism. Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and asked him what he desired. He was the head of the Stoic school in Athens, and he was one of three philosophers sent to Rome in 155 BC.Īccording to legend, Alexander the Great came to visit the philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. Was Diogenes a stoic?ĭiogenes of Babylon (also known as Diogenes of Seleucia Greek: Διογένης Βαβυλώνιος Latin: Diogenes Babylonius c. Did Diogenes really meet Alexander?Īccording to legend, Alexander the Great came to visit the philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. Because of this unique closeness, many officers grew extremely jealous.

Later, the two men stood side-by-side as Alexander severed the Gordian Knot.

Indeed, many saw the relationship of Alexander and Hephaestion to be akin to that of Achilles and Patrocles. Leaving, he is said to have remarked, “If I were not Alexander, I would want to be Diogenes.” In spite of his antisocial behavior, Diogenes’ influence in ancient philosophy was enormous.ĭiogenes’ Beliefs Like Antisthenes, Diogenes believed in self-control, the importance of personal excellence in one’s behavior (in Greek, arete, usually translated as `virtue’), and the rejection of all which was considered unnecessary in life such as personal possessions and social status. In the most famous exchange of the meeting, Alexander asked Diogenes whether there was anything he could do for him. What did Alexander the Great say about Diogenes? To those nearest him he said quietly, “If I were not Alexander, I should be Diogenes.” He knew that of all men then alive in the world, only Alexander the conqueror and Diogenes the beggar were truly free. What did Alexander mean by if I were not Alexander I should be Diogenes?Īlexander was still silent. 8 How does Landseer present the encounter between Alexander and Diogenes?.7 Why did Diogenes ask Alexander to stand out of the Sun?.5 Did Alexander the Great meets Diogenes?.2 What did Alexander the Great say about Diogenes?.1 What did Alexander mean by if I were not Alexander I should be Diogenes?.
