This is our Young Heretics episode about stoic philosophy in Rome.

Let me tell you a story about philosophy.

Well, this is a story which comes from Plutarch,

whom we've talked about a little bit before,

first to second century AD writer.

And this is the life of Cato the Elder,

a story of biography of this really rather

stern figure, lives from 234 to 149 BC,

so a figure of a Republican Rome who held the office of censor,

which was sort of really the highest authority in Rome.

Here's what Plutarch has to say.

When Cato was now well on in years,

there came as ambassadors from Athens to Rome,

Carniades, the academic, and Diogenies, the stoic philosopher,

to beg the reversal of a certain decision against the Athenian people,

which imposed upon them a fine of 500 talents.

The people of Oropas had brought the suit.

The Athenians had let the case go by default,

and the Cicionians had pronounced judgment against them.

Upon the arrival of these philosophers,

the most studious of the city's youth,

hastened to wait upon them and became their devoted and admiring listeners.

...