SOCRATES.

• In his first book, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments", Smith proposed the idea of an invisible hand - the tendency of free markets to regulate themselves through competition, supply and demand, and self-interest.
• He is known for creating the gross domestic product (GDP) concept and h...

Bodhidharma was a semi-legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century. He was of Indian origin, but moved to China, where he is said to have been meditating for 9yrs straight. 

Some of stories involving him are similar to more modern koans. 

• ...

Marcus Licinius Crassus was a value investor in ancient Rome, the richest man in Roman history with a net worth of 170 million sesterces (ancient Roman coins worth a quarter). His thirst for acquiring wealth was a legend in ancient times.

More recently, John D Rockefeller had around USD 30...