Homogeneity is our strength

A couple of theories: Challenge from the ascendency of Christianity, which appealed to the masses of slaves in Ancient Rome and later the noble classes Loss of persuasive teachers after Epictetus (Marcus Aurelius came after Epictetus but he was no teacher himself) Challenge from Christianity  It's a pity more Christians weren't persecuted so that that Stoicism had more opportunity to flourish. Though Christianity was always going to win out - it offered an afterlife, an imminent Kingdom of God, greater fellowship and was attuned to the resentment of masses of slaves in ancient Rome. On the contrary Stoicism offered tranquility, but only through personal effort, self-responsibilty and discipline. Stoics had no one to blame for their problems but themselves. Not attractive to the resentful liberal, now more than ever. Loss of persuasive teachers I've been learning more about Stoicism lately, but not reading the original sources. I want to develop background knowle...