Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism around 300 BC in Athens, establishing a philosophy that emphasized virtue, reason, and acceptance of natural law. Stoicism became a significant school of thought in the Hellenistic period, influencing later philosophical and ethical frameworks. Its teachings on resilience and rationality continue to resonate in contemporary discussions of ethics and personal development.

Zeno of Citium's founding of Stoicism around 300 BC introduced ideals of endurance and inner freedom that resonated deeply with Roman poets such as Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. These themes later permeated Renaissance and Neo-Latin poetry, where the exploration of fate and resilience became central to the human experience.