Examples of Epicurean Lives
And indeed the Epicureans, those best of men, for there is no order of men more innocent, complain that I take great pains to inveigh against Epicurus. We are rivals, I suppose, for some honour or distinction. I place the chief good in the mind, he in the body; I in virtue, he in pleasure; and the Epicureans are up in arms, and implore the assistance of their neighbours, and many are ready to fly to their aid.
- Cicero, Tusculan Disputations III:XXI
Epicurean philosophy is not by any means only a matter of words. Numerous major figures of history adopted it as their own guide of life, and we today can look to their examples. Here are short biographies of prominent Epicureans:
(This page is at this point only a listing of names.)
Epicurus
Section titled âEpicurusâMetrodorus
Section titled âMetrodorusâHermarchus
Section titled âHermarchusâPolyaenus
Section titled âPolyaenusâLeontion
Section titled âLeontionâPhilonides of Laodicia
Section titled âPhilonides of LaodiciaâAntiochus Epiphanes
Section titled âAntiochus EpiphanesâLucius Manlius Torquatus
Section titled âLucius Manlius TorquatusâTitus Pomponius Atticus
Section titled âTitus Pomponius AtticusâSiro of Naples
Section titled âSiro of NaplesâPhilodemus of Gadara
Section titled âPhilodemus of GadaraâLucius Calpurnius Piso
Section titled âLucius Calpurnius PisoâGaius Julius Caesar
Section titled âGaius Julius CaesarâGaius Cassius Longinus
Section titled âGaius Cassius LonginusâTitus Lucretius Carus
Section titled âTitus Lucretius CarusâDiogenes of Oinoanda
Section titled âDiogenes of OinoandaâLucian of Samosata
Section titled âLucian of SamosataâEmpress Pompeia Plotina
Section titled âEmpress Pompeia PlotinaâCosma Raimondi
Section titled âCosma RaimondiâThomas Jefferson
Section titled âThomas JeffersonâFrances Wright
Section titled âFrances WrightâThese examples of men and women who have studied Epicurus and spoken out on his behalf leads to the question: How do we ourselves apply Epicurean philosophy in our lives?