Ancient philosophy refers to the philosophical traditions that developed in the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, primarily between the 6th century BCE and the 6th century CE. Ancient philosophy covers a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, and political philosophy. Some of the most well-known ancient philosophers include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Ancient philosophy laid the foundation for many of the philosophical ideas and debates that continue to shape Western thought today.