# Dionysius of Heraclea — Tusculan Disputations character guide

> Dionysius of Heraclea in Tusculan Disputations by Cicero.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Dionysius of Heraclea, Dionysius

**First appearance:** 0001-tusculan-disputations

## Who they are

Stoic philosopher who later abandoned Stoicism; example of inconsistency.

## Relationships

### [Damocles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/damocles)

_psychological_

Damocles is a courtier who experiences the terror of the 'Sword of Damocles' under the tyrant Dionysius, illustrating the anxiety of power.

### [Philo of Larissa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/philo_of_larissa)

_social_

Dionysius of Heraclea, a Stoic philosopher, is discussed by Philo of Larissa in the context of philosophical debates on pain and emotion.

### [Cleanthes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/cleanthes)

_professional_

Cleanthes, a Stoic philosopher, was the teacher of Dionysius of Heraclea, who later abandoned Stoicism for hedonism.

### [Philo of Larissa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/philo_of_larissa)

_social_

Dionysius of Heraclea, a Stoic philosopher, is discussed by Philo of Larissa in the context of philosophical debates on pain and emotion.

## In the story

### [Book II: On Bearing Pain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters/book-ii-on-bearing-pain)

Mentioned as a philosopher who abandoned Stoic fortitude when suffering kidney pain, claiming pain is an evil.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/dionysius_of_heraclaea
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters