Diogenes Timeline

(c. 412 BCE – 323 BCE)

Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412–323 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and founder of Cynicism. Famous for his extreme asceticism—allegedly living in a large ceramic jar—and his biting wit, he mocked social conventions, wealth, and pretense, advocating a life of virtue in accordance with nature. More Less

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Philosophical School

Crates of Thebes continues Diogenes's principles

365 BC - 285 BC

Beginning with Crates of Thebes (c. 365 – c. 285 BC), one stream of Cynicism consisted of a succession of Cynics who preserved many of Diogenes's original principles and practices, carrying his philosophy forward through subsequent generations.

Image source: Crates of Thebes

Hippobotus omits Cynicism from list of philosophical schools

150 BC

In the second century BC, Hippobotus omitted Cynicism from his list of philosophical schools, reflecting an early debate over whether Cynicism constituted a true school of philosophy or merely a lifestyle.

Ancient Legacy

Pseudepigraphic letters ascribed to Diogenes begin circulating

300 BC

A collection of pseudepigraphic letters ascribed to Diogenes began circulating between the 3rd century BC and the first century AD, and was often treated as genuine by ancient readers.

Image source: Diogenes

Pseudepigraphic letters continue circulating into the 1st century AD

100 BC - 100 AD

The collection of pseudepigraphic letters ascribed to Diogenes continued to circulate until the first century AD, frequently regarded by readers as authentic writings of the philosopher.

Artistic Depictions

Davide Ghirlandaio portrays Diogenes beside Aristotle

1475

In 1475, Davide Ghirlandaio portrayed Diogenes next to Aristotle in a fresco, bringing the Cynic philosopher into Renaissance visual culture alongside the great figures of Greek philosophy.

Image source: Davide Ghirlandaio

Raphael depicts Diogenes in The School of Athens

1509 - 1511

In Raphael's The School of Athens (1509–1511), Diogenes is depicted sprawled on the steps, his disheveled, weathered cloak covering only part of his body, utterly indifferent to the renowned philosophers gathered around him, especially Plato and Aristotle, who loom above him on the top step.

Image source: The School of Athens

Bas relief discovered during excavations at Monte Testaccio

1726

In 1726, a damaged marble bas relief from the first century AD depicting Diogenes in a jar with a dog was discovered during excavations at Monte Testaccio, near Rome.

Image source: Monte Testaccio

Bas relief fragment restored based on medieval drawing

1750 - 1800

The fragment, part of a larger image of the legendary meeting between Diogenes and Alexander, was restored in the 18th century based on a medieval drawing, adding the figure of Alexander and a new head for Diogenes derived from a statue in the Villa Albani.

Jean-Léon Gérôme paints Diogènes

1860

Jean-Léon Gérôme's Diogènes (1860) depicts the philosopher seated at the mouth of his jar, adjusting his lamp while four dogs observed him, evoking both his asceticism and his legendary search for an honest man.

Image source: Jean-Léon Gérôme

John William Waterhouse paints Diogenes

1882

John William Waterhouse's Diogenes (1882) depicts the philosopher inside his jar, holding a scroll with a lamp nearby, as three elegant young women look on, contrasting his austere way of life with conventional society.

Image source: John William Waterhouse

Modern References

Diogenes syndrome named after the philosopher

1900

From the 20th century onward, Diogenes's name has come to be applied to Diogenes syndrome, a behavioural disorder characterised by severe self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, poor personal hygiene, excessive hoarding, and domestic uncleanliness.

Image source: Diogenes syndrome

EU obesity program named DIOGENES

2005

In 2005, a European Union program aimed at reducing obesity was named DIOGENES, an acronym for Diet, Obesity, and Genes, referencing Diogenes's longstanding association with frugality.

Statue by Turan Baş erected in Sinop

2006

In 2006, a statue by Turan Baş was erected in the modern Turkish city of Sinop, Diogenes's birthplace, honouring the ancient Cynic philosopher in his native city.

Image source: Sinop, Turkey

Getting Over It features character named Diogenes

Sep 28, 2017

In the 2017 platform game Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, the player must control a character residing in a large metal cauldron and named Diogenes, a nod to the philosopher's famous residence in a jar.

Image source: Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy

Key Facts

Diogenes was born in Sinope (modern-day Turkey) around 412 BCE and was exiled from his home city, reportedly for defacing its currency.
He is considered the founder of Cynicism, a philosophy that rejected wealth, social status, and material possessions in favor of living virtuously according to nature.
According to legend, he lived in a large ceramic jar (often called a barrel) in Athens as a demonstration of his radical simplicity.
Diogenes famously carried a lantern in broad daylight, claiming to be searching for an honest man—a symbol of his critique of society's hypocrisy.
He allegedly met Alexander the Great, who offered to grant him any wish; Diogenes replied, 'Stand out of my sunlight,' illustrating his disdain for power.

Source

This Diogenes timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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