ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on three major Hellenistic schools namely the Epicurean, the Stoic, and the Skeptical. All three of these schools continued into the Roman period and were adapted and modified by their Roman adherents. In order to understand these Hellenistic schools, must return to Socrates because all three schools had roots in his life and teaching. The roots of the Epicurean school can be traced back to an early Socratic school, the Cyrenaics. The Cyrenaic school was founded by one of Socrates associates and admirers, Aristippus of Cyrene, from Libya, in northern Africa. The history of Stoic school begins with thought of Socrates follower Antisthenes. A third Hellenistic school of philosophy, Skepticism, had its roots in Socrates teachings: specifically, in Socrates repeated claim that he did not know anything. Like Pythagoras, Epicurus was born on Greek island of Samos. Epicurus wrote over three hundred volumes, three complete letters, and a short treatise summarizing his views.
