Kleanthis o Assios

Cleanthes was born in Assos, Asia Minor, around 330 BC. He went to Athens with a passion for philosophy and initially attended lectures by the Cynic Crates. Unsatisfied with the Cynic theory, he joined the Stoic school, becoming a student of Zeno. Despite his extreme poverty, he earned a living by carrying water. Intellectually and spiritually cultivated, he distinguished himself to such an extent that he succeeded Zeno as the head of the Stoic school, and the renowned Chrysippus studied under him. He wrote many works, but only small fragments survive, the most complete being the "Hymn to Zeus."