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the new hypertext resource of collaborative Epicurean scholarhip.
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Epicureanism refers to Epicurean Philosophy, the philosophy of Epicurus. Epicurus developed his teachings during the Hellenistic era of Ancient Greece — a period of transition commencing at the time of Athens’ conquest by neighboring Macedonia (4th Century BCE). Juxtaposed within an environment of continuous political turmoil, Epicurus and his colleagues proclaimed that individuals may live in serene happiness, fortified by the continual experience of modest and easily obtainable pleasures. All that is needed to live a fully satisfying life, according to the Epicurean doctrine, are the sustenance of nutritious food, the comfort of a secure living environment, the comradery of good friends, and the assuring wisdom that the nature of the universe is benign.

Epicureanism conveys a surprisingly scientific vision of the natural world, building upon a preivous century's groundwork laid by the presocratics. Epicurus' interest in the workings of nature, however, was not motivated by mere curiosity. He gleaned revelations in physics as a means of ideological fortification against the many disturbing notions of superstition.

Epicureanism would eventually become a philosophy of wide renown, having been spread to the far corners of the ancient Mediterranean world through the founding of organized schools — a tradition which began with Epicurus and continued well into the age of the Roman Empire. (more...)

Current Projects

The Vatican Sayings: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81

The Principal Doctrines: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 36, 37, 38, 39, 40

Letter to Menoeceus: 121, 122, 123-4, 124-7, 127, 127-8, 128-30, 130-1, 131-2, 132, 133-5, 135

Featured Quotes

Natural wealth is both limited and easily obtained; but the riches demanded by vain ideals are insatiable.
Freedom is the greatest fruit of self-sufficiency
The soul experiences feelings far greater than the cause which generated them, just as a fire vast enough to burn down ports and cities is kindled by an exceedingly small spark.

Wiki News...

The Epicurus Wiki is still in its infancy, but its potential for growth is tremendous. The doctrines and heritage of Epicureanism have a widely strewn legacy that begs for efficient organization. Volumes of Epicurean texts and commentary still beg for modern translation and interpretation. An adventure of discovery awaits us, crossing continents and centuries.

Featured Picture

Villa of the Papyri Site of the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum, where the Herculaneum Papyri were rediscovered. It is identified as the magnificent seafront retreat for Piso, Julius Caesar's father-in-law. It stretches down towards the sea in four terraces. Piso, a literate man who patronized poets and philosophers (most notably Philodemus) built there a fine library, the only one to survive intact from antiquity.

Photo credit: Erik Anderson


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