Stilpo

Stilpo, born sometime around the year 380 BCE, was the most distinguished philosopher of the Megarean school.  He was known for his eloquence, his skill in dialectics, and his moderation with respect to riches.  His reputation was so immense that it influenced soldiers as well as the philosophers of Athens.  When Megara was invaded by Demetrius, the son of Antigonus, the conqueror ordered his army to spare the house of Stilpo; and, if anything should be taken from him in the hurry of the plunder, to restore it.  Stilpo’s fame was so great, in fact, that when he visited Athens the citizens ran out of their shops to see him.  On moral topics Stilpo is said to have taught that the highest happiness consists in a mind free from the dominion of passion, a doctrine similar to that of the Stoics.