Epicurus

Statue of Epicurus,handmade of alabaster in museum patina.

EPICURUS was an ancient Greek philosopher. He founded his own philosophical school, the Garden of the Auxiliary, which is considered one of the most famous schools of Greek philosophy. He was an Athenian citizen, son of Neocles and Hairstrates. His father, an Athenian citizen from the municipality of Gargittos, originally from the old prominent Athenian race of the Philaids, participated in the colonization of Samos, where Epicurus was raised. Epicurus began from an early age to come into strong contact with the philosophy of Nausifanis from the neighboring city of Teos, a fact that removed him from all Platonic beliefs and turned him to the theories of Democritus. At the age of 18 he went to Athens for his military and political service together with the comedian Menandros.

HIS SCHOOL

Not enough information has been saved for the next fifteen years of his life. Later, he created his own Philosophical Circle in Mytilene and then in Lampsako. He returned to Athens in 307/6 BC. at the age of 34 and bought a plot of land in Athens between Dipylon and the Academy , where he housed his philosophical school – the Garden of the Auxiliary. He taught for 35 years following a quiet and simple life. They were surrounded by men, women, partners and slaves, who participated equally in the Epicurean Garden. Epicurus died in 270 BC, at the age of 72.

HIS PHILOSOPHY

Epicurus and his theory focus on a moral character of philosophy. His aim was to find the causes of human misery and the erroneous beliefs that cause it, such as superstition, in order to provide the counter-proposal for the prospect of a pleasant life (LIVE NOW), for the achievement of which Epicurus offered clear philosophical tips. Living is already achieved in the absence of pain and fear. And by living a life of self-sufficiency surrounded by friends.