Antisthenes (444?-after 371 bc), Greek philosopher, the earliest thinker associated with the school of philosophy called Cynicism (see Cynics). He was born in Athens and became a disciple of Socrates. Antisthenes taught in the gymnasium known as the Cynosarges outside Athens, and his followers were later called Cynics. Antisthenes regarded happiness as attainable through virtue. He denounced art and literature, condemned luxury and comfort, and extolled hard work. His most famous pupil was Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes.