Was Diogenes a “Troll”?

In a way, they did "troll" the societies where they travelled, by living beyond their value systems, flaunting their freedom and mocking what people take seriously.

I'd prefer the term "wise fools".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_madness

They were not trolls who take pleasure in mockery. Their way of life and thought have something to teach us, and people through history have loved these characters, as we can see from the stories we continue to tell about them.

"He showed his rejection of "normal" ideas about human decency by eating in the street, masturbating in the marketplace, urinating on those who insulted him, defecating in the theatre, and pointing at people with his middle finger. He was a self-appointed public scold whose mission was to demonstrate to the ancient Greeks that civilization is regressive."

> He lived in Corinth for the rest of his life, which he devoted to preaching the doctrines of virtuous self-control.

Witty, smart, undesirable, revolting for all but his quick mind.