A sect of ancient Greek philosophers popularly thought to have been established by Diogenes, though his mentor, Antisthenes of Athens, should perhaps be accorded the title of founder. Since the Cynics were never a formal school, with no fully defined philosophy, considerable differences emerged amongst Diogenes’ disciples, who adopted only those ideas which appealed to them. Crates of Thebes was his most faithful follower: he demonstrated how in troubled times happiness was possible for the man who gave up material possessions, kept his needs to an absolute minimum, and maintained his independence.

The Cynic philosophy flourished through the 3rd century bc, and the beggar-philosopher, knapsack on his back and stick in hand, became a familiar sight in Greece. A steady decline thereafter was reversed by a temporary revival in the 1st century ad, though the Cynics’ readiness to criticize the conduct of the emperors led to many expulsions from Rome. The last recorded beggar-philosopher lived at the end of the 5th century.