Diogenes

Cynic philosopher who lived in a large jar and scorned every worldly convention.

Life

Exile

Diogenes was born in Sinope on the southern shore of the Black Sea and is said to have been banished from his home city for defacing the coinage, after which he came to Athens. He urged people to cast off wealth and vanity and live according to nature, and he called himself a "citizen of the world."

Large jar

He lived in a large jar and walked the streets by day carrying a lantern, saying he was "looking for an honest man." When he saw a child drinking water from cupped hands, he threw away the only wooden bowl he owned.

Stand out of my sunlight

Legend has it that Alexander the Great came to see him and asked what he needed; he replied, "Please stand a little aside; you are blocking my sunlight." Alexander said, "If I were not Alexander, I would wish to be Diogenes." He died in c. 323 BCE, reportedly on the same day as Alexander.

Legacy

Diogenes is the most famous figure of the Cynic school; the word "cynic" originally meant "living like a dog," a label he gladly embraced.

Did you know? When Plato defined man as "a featherless biped," Diogenes plucked a chicken, brought it to the Academy, and said: "Here is Plato's man."

Key dates

• 362 BCECame to Athens (approx.)
• 336 BCEMet Alexander (legend)
• 323 BCEDied (approx.)