Diogenes the Cynic

A modern statue of Diogenes at the entrance to Sinope.  Diogenes was born in Sinope in 412 B.C. (or 404) and died in Corinth in 323 B.C. (the same year Alexander the Great died).

The barrel that he is standing on reminds one of the clay pot that he is reported to have lived in in the agora in Athens.  He is said to have gone about Athens in the daylight with a lamp in his hand looking for "an honest man."  Because of his unusual behavior he was nicknamed the dog (note the pooch)!  In Greek, the name Cynics is related to the Greek word for "dog."

It is reported that when Alexander the Great offered him "Ask of me anything you like," Diogenes replied "Stand aside, you're in my light."