The cynic philosopher Diogenes was born at Sinope in Pontus c.412 B.C. After a youth spent in dissolute extravagance, he moved to Athens and adopted a life of austerity and moroseness, rolling in hot sand in the summer and embracing statues covered with snow in the winter. He wore coarse clothing, lived on the plainest food and often slept in the streets, eventually taking up residence in a huge jar belonging to the Metroum or shrine of the Mother of the Gods. On a voyage to Aegina Diogenes was captured by Cretan pirates who sold him as a slave to Xeniades of Corinth, who gave him his freedom. It was at Corinth that Diogenes's celebrated interview with Alexander the Great is said to have taken place. Alexander, who greatly admired the philosopher, approached him and asked if he could oblige him in any way, to which Diogenes replied 'Yes; you can stand out of the sunshine'. The subject evidently held a particular appeal for Ricci, who treated it on at least four other occasions (J. Daniels, Sebastiano Ricci, 1976, pp.61, 92, 119, and 140)