Biography Of Epicurus
1. Epicurus was born in 341 B.C. on Samos, an island occupied at the time by Greeks, off the coast of what is now called Turkey.
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2. At age eighteen, Epicurus went to Athens to perform his two years of military service.
3. After his miltary service, Epicurus rejoined his family, which had been moved to Colophon. There he studied under Nausiphones, a follower of Democritus.
4. Epicurus moved to Mytilene, where he began teaching and stayed until controversy forced him to leave.
5. Epicurus next moved to Lampsacus and continued teaching.
6. Epicurus returned to Athens in 306 BC, where he firmly established his school ("the Garden") and remained until his death in 270 BC.
Sources of Information On Epicurus
Ancient Writers Who Had Access to Epicurus' Texts and Who Were Supportive of Epicurean Philosophy
Diogenes Laertius - Greek writer of the 200's A.D.
Lucretius - Roman Poet of the 40's B.C.
Diogenes of Oinoanda - Composer of inscribed stone wall in Turkey in 100's A.D.
Lucian - Greek-speaking Syrian writer of 100's A.D.
Cassius Longinus - Roman statesman of 40's B.C.
Ancient Writers With Access to Epicurean Texts, But Who Were Hostile Toward Epicurean Philosophy
Cicero - Roman lawyer and stateman of 40's B.C. Generally considered to be a Platonist ⁄ Stoic blend.
Plutarch - Greek writer of early 100's A.D. Generally considered to be a Platonist.
Subsequent Writers Who Were Supportive of Epicurus, But Had Limited Access To Ancient Texts
Cosma Raimondi (one letter)
Frances Wright (A Few Days In Athens)
Thomas Jefferson (letters)
Christian ⁄ Stoic Apologists Who Were Generally Friendly To Epicurus But Tried to Blend His ideas With Stoicism Or Christianity
Francesco De Quevera
Pierre Gassendi
Modern Commentators
Norman DeWitt - Not explicitly Epicurean, but very sympathetic. His book "Epicurus And His Philosophy" is an excellent overview of the philosophy.
Most other commentators are unfriendly to Epicurus in varying degrees.
Contemporary Internet Sources
Epicurus.info
Epicurus.net
SocietyofEpicurus.com
NewEpicurean.com
Menoeceus.blogspot.com
Other Sources listed at www.EpicurusCentral.com
Epicurean Philosophy Facebook Page
Elemental Epicureanism
Websites In Greece
Garden of Athens (English Section)
Garden of Thessaloniki
