Epicurean Philosophy and its Effects on the World
During Hellenistic times, Ancient Greece was a baffled region. This was a time of great warfare, militarism, and violence. This was also a time when human kind was searching for a guide to life; a way to live. Philosophies and religions were being tossed around and there was such a variety that it seemed difficult to choose a path. The founder of Epicureanism, Epicurus, had great contributions to peoples’ finding of a way to live.
Epicurus was born in 341 B.C. on the island of Samos. His parents, Neocles and Chaerestrate were among the Athenians who moved to settle in Samos. Epicurus’ father was a schoolmaster, which gave the child his earliest education. It is told that at an early age Epicurus was remarkably curious and independent in his views. At age fourteen he began studying philosophy on his own in hopes of understanding his world. His contrasting views on life, death, pleasure, and religion began to erupt in his mind as he was growing into a man. He later attended a Platonic school for four years where he was taught by Platonist Pamphilus.
Epicurus’ ability to inspire disciples and friends helped him to become respected on a small scale during his early teachings and philosophy. Epicurus began his teaching career in 311 B.C. in the city of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. He ended up being forced to leave within a year because of disagreements and hostility towards his views. After discouragement, he moved to Asia Minor and he created a following of people who believed his teachings to be the ideal way of life. On his return to Athens, (the first time being military service) Epicurus purchased a house with a garden. This is where he established a p...
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...s teachings and this led to the philosophy spreading throughout Greece and other regions as well. For seven centuries following his death, Epicureanism flourished as a well organized movement.
Epicureans’ refusal to search for and obey opposing religions led to their being cutoff from the rest of the world by the end of the fourth century A.D. Many armies crushed the group and they were punished for their “dissenting faith and serene vision” (Panichas Pre.). Most Epicureans disappeared and were not heard of anymore.
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Clarke, Fiona, and Mark Bergin. Greece in the time of Pericles. Hemel Hempstead: Simon & Schuster, 1909.
in the spiritual and moral life of the ancient Greeks, where in the same place
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