Epicurus
Ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism.
Epicurus (341–270 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism, teaching that managing desires, removing unnecessary fears, friendship, and virtuous living lead to a pleasant life and constant happiness. Born in an Athenian settlement on the island of Samos in February 341 BC, he was the son of Athenian citizens Neocles and Chaerestrate. His childhood coincided with the late Greek Classical Period, and he received a typical elite education, studying under a Platonist named Pamphilus for about four years. After Alexander the Great’s death, his family was expelled from Samos and relocated to Colophon, where Epicurus joined them following his military service. He then studied under Nausiphanes, a follower of Democritus. Though heavily influenced by Democritus, Epicurus rejected determinism and denied any debt to earlier philosophers, claiming to be self-taught. His teachings also show some influence from Cynicism, though he rejected its vulgarity, advocating instead for honesty paired with courtesy. Around age thirty, Epicurus began teaching in Mytilene. He later established his own school in Athens, known as “The Garden,” where he and his followers lived self-sufficiently, ate simple meals, and discussed philosophy. He taught that the gods exist but take no part in human affairs. Like Democritus, he believed all natural events result from atoms moving in empty space, but he introduced the concept of atomic “swerve” to allow for free will. Most of his over 300 works are lost; only a few letters and the *Principal Doctrines* survive, along with fragments of *On Nature*. Much of what is known comes from later authors such as Lucretius and Diogenes of Oenoanda. Epicureanism peaked in the late Roman Republic but faded by late antiquity. During the Middle Ages, Epicurus was inaccurately remembered as a patron of excess. His ideas were revived in the fifteenth century and became acceptable in the seventeenth century through Pierre Gassendi, influencing later thinkers like John Locke and Karl Marx.
- born
- February 341 BC, Samos
- died
- 270 BC
- field
- Philosophy
- nationality
- Ancient Greek (Athenian)
- known_for
- Founding Epicureanism; atomic swerve; pleasure as highest good
Lore & Background
Epicurus was born in February 341 BC on Samos. He studied under Pamphilus and later Nausiphanes. He began teaching in Mytilene around 311 BC, then founded a school in Lampsacus before returning to Athens around 306 BC, where he established The Garden. He died in 270 BC at age seventy-two from a urinary tract blockage.
Reader's Guide
Epicurus taught that the highest good is a pleasant life achieved through managing desires, eliminating unnecessary fears, cultivating friendship, and living virtuously. He and his followers pursued philosophy by living self-sufficiently, eating simple meals, and discussing ideas at his Athenian school known as "The Garden." He held that gods exist but take no part in human affairs. Following Democritus, he explained all natural events as the movement and interaction of invisible atoms in empty space, but he introduced the concept of an atomic "swerve," allowing atoms to deviate from their expected paths and thereby granting humans free will in an otherwise deterministic universe. Most of his over 300 written works are lost; only a few letters and the collection of quotes called the *Principal Doctrines* survive, along with fragments of his major work *On Nature*. Knowledge of his philosophy largely comes from later authors such as Lucretius and Diogenes of Oenoanda. Epicureanism peaked in popularity during the late Roman Republic but died out by late antiquity. During the Middle Ages, he was inaccurately remembered as a patron of drunkards and gluttons. His ideas became more widely known in the fifteenth century through rediscovered texts, but only gained acceptance in the seventeenth century after the French priest Pierre Gassendi revived a modified version, later promoted by Walter Charleton and Robert Boyle. His influence grew during the Enlightenment, affecting thinkers like John Locke and Karl Marx.
Did You Know?
- Epicurus was born on the Aegean island of Samos.
- He insisted he was 'self-taught' and denied influence from earlier philosophers.
- His school, The Garden, welcomed female students.
- Epicurus died at age seventy-two, not seventy-one as sometimes calculated.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"ἄφοβον ὁ θεός, ἀνύποπτον ὁ θάνατος, καὶ τἀγαθὸν μὲν εὔκτητον, τὸ δὲ δεινὸν εὐεκκαρτέρητον." — Epicurus "The Tetrapharmakos, or "four-part cure", a summary of the first four Principal Doctrines. Composed by an unidentified Epicurean philosopher (Usener 1887:69); reported by Philodemus, P.Herc. 1005, IV.10–14." — Epicurus "The greatest reward of righteousness is peace of mind." — Epicurus "τὸ φρικωδέστατον οὖν τῶν κακῶν ὁ θάνατος οὐθὲν πρὸς ἡμᾶς͵ ἐπειδήπερ ὅταν μὲν ἡμεῖς ὦμεν͵ ὁ θάνατος οὐ πάρεστιν͵ ὅταν δὲ ὁ θάνατος παρῇ͵ τόθ΄ ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἐσμέν." — Epicurus
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