"Was Atticus an Epicurean?"

Gilbert, Nathan

doi:10.1017/9781108954402.005

"Was Atticus an Epicurean?"

Gilbert, Nathan

Authors

Dr Nathan Gilbert nathan.b.gilbert@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Contributors

Sergio Yona
Editor

Gregson Davis
Editor

Abstract

This chapter claims that Atticus offers a fruitful case study of Epicureanism in the late Republic and can thereby contribute to broader questions of philosophical allegiance in the ancient world. There has, of course, been valuable discussion of philosophical allegiance in recent years. A reconsideration of Atticus’ Epicureanism will fruitfully extend these debates precisely because he is a not a perfect fit for any of these categories. He was not a professional philosopher; in any case, it is dangerous to assume that the thunderings of Lucretius or Philodemus on the Epicurean wise man map reliably onto the complexities of life, especially in the case of Atticus.

Citation

Gilbert, N. (2022). "Was Atticus an Epicurean?". In S. Yona, & G. Davis (Eds.), Epicurus in Rome: Philosophical Perspectives in the Ciceronian Age (55-71). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108954402.005

Acceptance Date	Nov 30, 2018
Online Publication Date	Jan 13, 2022
Publication Date	2022-01
Deposit Date	Mar 8, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Aug 3, 2022
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Pages	55-71
Book Title	Epicurus in Rome: Philosophical Perspectives in the Ciceronian Age
Chapter Number	4
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108954402.005

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Copyright Statement
This material has been published in Epicurus in Rome: Philosophical Perspectives in the Ciceronian Age edited by Sergio Yona and Gregson Davis. This version is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University Press 2022