This study examines the principal doctrines of the Stoics, Epicureans and various sceptical traditions from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC to about 200 AD. The discussion is arranged by topics rather than schools, in order to bring out the underlying issues and make clear what the different schools have in common and how they differ. At the same time the coherence of each system as a whole is emphasized. The Hellenistic philosophers and schools of philosophy are emerging from the shadow of Plato and Aristotle and are increasingly studied for their intrinsic philosophical value....