The philosophical system that taught that everything is determined and, therefore, a person should accept things as they are. The only important thing in life is virtue; one is to remain unmoved by external affairs and concentrate on the attitude and character that are within one's control.
The origin of stoicism may be traced to a Cypriot philosopher named Zeno (336-264 BC) who moved to Athens where he then taught for many years in the stoai (the colonnades) of the market-place. Leading Roman stoics include the philosopher Seneca, the slave Epictetus, and the emperor Marcus Aurelius.
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