In recent years, Hellenistic philosophies, for the first time after 17 centuries, have ceased to be exclusively an academic pursuit and are beginning to regain ground, claiming the role they once held during their freely flourishing period: that of a living force that reconciles philosophy with everyday life and guides people in their quest for virtue and personal happiness.

An important prerequisite for this evolution has been the serious scholarly work produced over the last two decades of the 20th century by an impressive number of European and American scholars of Hellenistic philosophies. Thus, their timeless value is recognized, after centuries of ignorance, distortion - and even humiliation.

Professor R.W. Sharples, head of the Department of Classical Studies at UCL (University College) London, published this book having observed through his teaching experience the need for a systematic presentation of the three Hellenistic schools on a thematic basis. The book is aimed at scholars and university students who are not particularly familiar with post-Aristotelian philosophy.

Its goal, as he writes himself, is to highlight the interest that the philosophical thought of the Greco-Roman period presents, not only within the historical frameworks of the ancient culture it influenced, but primarily the relevance it has for us today.