Final answer:
The Stoics believed in a material world ordered by a divine Logos, emphasizing virtues and rational self-control. Their philosophy profoundly influenced Roman societal norms and encouraged the pursuit of inner tranquility over external political engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Stoics were known for their systematic philosophy, encompassing aspects of ethics, physics, logic, rhetoric, and grammar. Central to their beliefs was the concept of a material god, an animating reason or divine Logos, that gives life and order to the universe. This Logos is not a transcendent deity but an immanent force, orchestrating the natural world and causality within it. The Stoics' view on the divine interconnected with their ethical teachings, which emphasized virtues such as courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom, and advocated for a life of rational self-control and acceptance of one's fate within the greater cosmic order.
Stoicism influenced Roman thought and ideals, aligning with Romanitas and the notion of performing one's social duty without succumbing to emotions or excess. It was seamlessly integrated into Roman life, influencing prominent figures like the emperor Marcus Aurelius, and paralleled other Hellenistic philosophies in prioritizing internal peace and rational handling of life's challenges.