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Stoicism is a philosophical school that appeared in the early 3rd Century BCE, and quickly became one of the most influential doctrines of the ancient world. Herillus, one of the first Stoic philosophers, was originally from Carthage.
The beginning of the Hellenistic era was a time of intellectual proliferation, propitious to the emergence of new philosophical schools. Epicurus, from the island of Samos, taught that the goal of life was seeking pleasure: his doctrine gave birth to Epicurianism. Diogenes of Sinope, the major figure of Cynicism, lived in a barrel and professed that happiness was found in living close to nature, free from social constraints. Pyrrho of Elis, the founder of Scepticism, erected doubt as a doctrine by claiming that the true nature of things is unknowable.
The most important of those new philosophies was Stoicism, founded by Zeno of Citium, who taught under the Portico (Stoa) of Athens. To Zeno and his fellow Stoics, the goal of life was the quest of peace through a life of virtue, according to the laws of nature. Stoicism had a strong influence on the Roman Empire: the most famous Roman Stoic philosopher was Seneca, and Emperor Marcus Aurelius was also a Stoic.
Herillus, one of the first Stoic philosophers and a disciple of Zeno of Citium, was from Carthage. Born in Carthage around 280, his family moved to Athens, where he became a disciple of Zeno. He wrote a book, which is lost.
While a disciple of Zeno, Herillus’ thought showed strong differences with his master’s teaching. While Zeno believed that the goal of life was virtue, Herillus saw knowledge as the supreme principle.
Herillus’ philosophy had little impact after his death: Cicero claims that he was mostly forgotten in his lifetime.
