In ancient times, people had a rather strong belief in magic and mythology when it came to interpreting the world around them. The world as they perceived it was largely influenced by the presence of a higher deity. The ancient philosophers brought a refreshing new approach to this contemporary philosophical paradigm. They broke away from the tradition of mythological explanations and embarked on an interpretation largely based on reasoning and evidence. Ancient Greece saw the rise of a plethora of philosophers. Among these, a number of key figures stood out for their seminal work and ideas in philosophy. Their esoteric philosophical ideas on primitive natural science as well as the ethical application of their philosophical values in society earned them the recognition that lives to this day. Here is a list of the most influential ancient philosophers discussed in this book: