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How did Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Pyrrhonism develop during the Hellenistic Age?

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The Parthenon stands atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece, surrounded by ancient stone walls and ruins, with city buildings and a distant hill in the background. — ancient Greek civilization The Acropolis, Athens.

During the Hellenistic Age, a period marked by the decline of Greek city-states and increased social insecurity, philosophy shifted toward providing individuals with personal stability and independence from the external world.12

Stoicism

Founded by Zeno of Citium, Stoicism taught that the world is governed by divine reason and that the goal of life is to live in agreement with nature. Stoics believed that only virtue is good and vice is bad, viewing all other external circumstances as indifferent. As "world citizens," they emphasized duty, justice, and an active role in society, finding peace through the rational acceptance of fate.34

Epicureanism

In contrast, Epicureanism advocated for a life of withdrawal from worldly affairs. Epicurus taught that the goal of life is pleasure—defined as the absence of pain—which is best achieved through a simple, wise, and honest life. Unlike Stoicism, this school remained largely dogmatic and unchanged, with followers memorizing the master's teachings.435

Pyrrhonism

Pyrrhonism emerged as a form of Skepticism named after Pyrrho of Elis. It sought mental peace (ataraxia) by practicing epochē (suspension of judgment) regarding the possibility of certain knowledge. Rather than asserting dogmatic truths, Pyrrhonists lived undogmatically according to appearances and customs.67