Crates of Thebes

Crates of Thebes was a pupil of Diogenes and teacher of Zeno of Citium, who founded the Stoic school.

Crates was very wealthy, but when he became a follower of the Cynic philosophy, he gave up all his possessions and led a very simple life according to the principles of Cynicism. He is sometimes considered the creator of cosmopolitanism. He was also referred to as the "Door Opener" because he would enter strangers' homes uninvited and admonish people there in the spirit of Cynicism.

His pupils included Zeno of Citium (founder of the Stoic school), Métrocles of Maróneia, and Hipparchia of Maróneia (Métrocles' sister). Hipparchia was so enthusiastic about her teacher and his simple way of life that she fell in love with him. She even threatened her parents with suicide if they didn't give it to him. Her parents begged Kratet to dissuade her. He then told her that she could not be his mate unless she also shared his ascetic lifestyle. She agreed, however, and accompanied Cratetus on his travels through Greece in plain clothing. They even made love in public.

His most famous statement was, "It is necessary to philosophize until the warlords seem nothing more than donkey-baiters."

Crates died in old age and was buried in Boiotia.