Abstract

By examining step by step the rich material provided by Giuseppe Cambiano's fine global reconstruction in his "I filosofi in Grecia e a Roma. Quando pensare era un modo di vivere", this paper aims to reinforce the idea that the main distinctive feature of the ancient thought was not a mere and vain concept of philosophy as a sort of exstrinsic or parochial job, but rather a deep and neverending work on the self, that is, an all-inclusive «art of life».