The Roman imperial Stoics were familiar with exile. This paper argues that the Stoics’ view of
being a refugee differed sharply from their view of what is owed to refugees. A Stoic adopts the
perspective of a cosmopolitēs, a “citizen of the world,” a rational being everywhere at home in
the universe. Virtue can be cultivated and practiced in any locale, so being a refugee is an
“indifferent” that poses no obstacle to happiness. Other people are our fellow cosmic citizens,
however, regardless of their language, race, ethnicity, customs, or country of origin. Our
natural affinity and shared sociability with all people require us to help refugees and embrace
them as welcome neighbors. Failure to do so violates our common reason, justice, and the
gods’ cosmic law
