(porch scholars). Members of a Grecian philosophical school, or sect, founded by Zeno, 308 B. C., who taught in the stow, or porch, of the Agora at Athens. They held to a high morality, proud independence of spirit, fateful, in place of providential, superintendence, wisdom as the source of happiness (Acts 17:18). Paul encountered both Stoics and Epicureans at Athens, and, on being taken into Areopagus by them, delivered to them the oration (Acts 17:22-31).