ABSTRACT
Before investigating the Antisthenian-Cynic influences on Xenophon's Defence and Memorabilia 1.1.1-1.2.64, it should be acknowledged that the Antisthenian-Cynic tradition of the late fourth century is greatly determined by the rather extravagant personality of Diogenes of Sinope. Paradoxical to the traditional Greek mind was the Antisthenian-Cynic idea that toil and lack of fame were a blessing. It is not impossible that the famous Stoic paradoxes, which still preoccupied Cicero, were originally based on Antisthenian-Cynic sayings. Antisthenes developed a Heracles type which apparently contained two distinct strains: Heracles, the pupil of Chiron who attained to wisdom and virtue through rigorous moral and physical training; and Heracles, the ἐγϰρατὴς and 'friend of many πόνοι. Diogenes of Sinope asserts that all ἄσϰησις was of two kinds, namely, training of the mind and training of the body. Physical exercise constituted for the Cynic a vital element in the teaching of true virtue as well as in the development of virtuous men.
