Sometimes ἀδοξία was used in a positive sense to mean disrepute or infamy, such as might result from the perpetration of crimes or shocking public opinion. It was in this sense that ἀδοξία became one of the Cynic πονοι (Dio Chrysostom 8, 16; Ibid. 9, 12). Diogenes is represented as urging a victor in the Olympic games to "Seek things which are really fine and learn to be strong, not by being beaten by men either with the cestus or with fists, but with the soul by means of poverty, disrepute (ἀδοξία), low birth or exile" (31st Letter of Diogenes). Crates declared "disrepute (ἀδοξίαν) and poverty to be his country" (D. L. 6, 93).
Ἀναίδεια (shamelessness) was an element of the Cynic tradition. Crates is represented as giving special training in this subject (D. L. 6, 94) and Epictetus mentions it as a characteristic of the Cynics of his time (Arrian 3, 22, 80). It was probably a means of demonstrating freedom and contempt of public opinion. Cicero says; "Neither are we to regard the Cynics or the Stoics, who are next to Cynics, who abuse and ridicule us for deeming things that are not shameful in their own nature to become vicious through names and expressions ... a great many arguments to the same purpose are maintained by these philosophers in the subversion of delicacy" (De Officiis 1, 35). An illustration of this feature of Cynicism was the dog-wedding of Crates, which Clemens Alexandrinus says took place at the Stoa Poikile (Stromata 4, 19; cf. Apuleius, Florida 14). The extreme public indecencies attributed to Diogenes by Dio Chrysostom, Athenaeus, Julian and D. L. are not mentioned in connection with late Cynics, and this seems to indicate a change in their practices. The Cynics of the 1st century B. C. as described by Philodemus were more shocking in their conduct than those of a later period. It seems probable that this feature of Cynicism was discouraged by occasional floggings and failures to collect contributions. Beatings are enumerated among the hardships incident to the life of the Cynic (Dio Chrysostom 8, 16, 28). Diogenes is represented as writing to another Cynic; "I hear that you are grieved because drunken Athenian youths strike us, ... know that the body of Diogenes has been beaten by drunken men, but virtue has not been shamed, since it is not its nature to be disgraced by them" (20th Letter of Diogenes; cf. D. L. 6, 33 & 41). Lucian represents a Cynic as saying; "Nor will you esteem it any inconvenience if a flogging or a turn of the rack should fall to your lot... Away with modesty, good nature and forbearance. Wipe the blush from your cheek forever… Scruple not to perform the deeds of darkness in broad daylight; select your love adventures with a view to the public entertainment" (Vitarum auctio 10). Athenaeus says, "You (Cynics) are rogues from the whipping post and the rack, devourers of other men's goods" (Deip. 4, 164). The public indecencies of the Cynics seem to have been generally discontinued in the Christian era. St. Augustine mentions them as a part of the Cynic tradition, but expresses doubt of their actual occurrence (De Civitate Dei 14,20).
Image: Greek banquet, painted by Nicias circa 420 BC
Photo © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Creative Commons 2.5
Other Posts in the Diogenes of Sinope series
The Cynics Referred to the Habits of Animals
Slump towards Animalism
Attitude of the Cynics Towards Pleasure
Happiness Did Not Exclude Pleasure
Diogenes as Hedonist
Short Road to Happiness or Short Cut to Virtue?
Despising Pleasure is Pleasurable
What is Virtue for a Cynic: Cats for Thievery
What is Virtue for a Cynic: Promiscuous Sexual Intercourse
The Cynic Sought Freedom
Labor Did Not Enter into the Cynic Scheme of Life
The Easy Life of the Cynic
The Cynic was Fond of Comparing Himself with Kings and Emperors
The Object of the Cynic was Happiness
I Am a Citizen of the World
Freedom of Speech is the Most Beautiful Thing in the World
An Excess of Infamy
I Speak Plainly as an Interpreter of Apathy
A Man Should Live Contented with Present Things
Contempt of the Opinions of Others
Download the entire Part One of Diogenes of Sinope for $2 SBD
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by roomerkind from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews/crimsonclad, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post has received a 0.78 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you for the information! Greek culture is very interesting!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit