Images, Nicknames, and Things Associated WIth Epicurus

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    Many of the things we could list as "images, nicknames, or things" associated with Epicurus deserve a thread of their own, but we can start with a list or table and then branch off as needed. Here's an effort for a start. Please suggest others and I will add them to the list. One purpose of this list will be to help in development of graphics and other "creative" presentations.

    ReferenceSource
    		Description
    Image on the Boscoreale CupBoscorealeEpicurus with three-legged tripod and piglet at his feet, with Zeno the Stoic pointing at him accusingly
    Figs / Fig TreeLucian of Samosata "Alexander the Oracle Monger"Lucian says that Alexander ordered Epicurus' writings to be burned on a fire made of fig trees, (see post from Don below)
    Pigs / Piglets / HogsHerculaneumPigs / Piglets are associated with Epicurus as shown on the Boscoreale cup and references by Horace
    The GardenCicero
    The GargettianCiceroReference to the area of Athens from which Epicurus' family came.

    I don't think I will add this to the chart yet, but I've always thought that the famous "monkey skull" mosaic had obvious Epicurean allusions. At this moment I can't find prior threads on it so I will post a new thread here:

    47. One of Alexander's acts in this connection was most comical. Hitting upon the "Established Beliefs" of Epicurus, which is the finest of his books, as you know, and contains in summary the articles of the man's philosophic creed,37 he brought it into the middle of the market-place, burned it on fagots of fig-wood just as if he were burning the man in person, and threw the ashes into the sea, even adding an oracle also:

    "Burn with fire, I command you, the creed of a purblind dotard!"

    But the scoundrel had no idea what blessings that book creates for its readers and what peace, tranquillity, and freedom it engenders in them, liberating them as it does from terrors and apparitions and portents, from vain hopes and extravagant cravings, developing in them intelligence and truth, and truly purifying their understanding, not with torches and squills and that sort of foolery, but with straight thinking, truthfulness and frankness.

    Lucian of Samosata : Alexander the False Prophet

    I don't see anything about "favorite food."

    PS. Just to be clear: that reference to "Established Beliefs" *is* the Principal Doctrines or kyriai doxai

    Lucian, Alexander, section 47

    Although this is interesting and maybe completely irrelevant:

    Chrysippus - Wikipedia
    en.wikipedia.org

    He died during the 143rd Olympiad (208–204 BC) at the age of 73. Diogenes Laërtius gives two different accounts of his death. In the first account, Chrysippus was seized with dizziness having drunk undiluted wine at a feast, and died soon after. In the second account, he was watching a donkey eat some figs and cried out: "Now give the donkey a drink of pure wine to wash down the figs", whereupon he died in a fit of laughter. His nephew Aristocreon erected a statue in his honour in the Kerameikos. Chrysippus was succeeded as head of the Stoic school by his pupil Zeno of Tarsus.

    Yes Don's cite is what I was remembering so probably I was embellishing to say favorite food, unless we come up with a cite somewhere else. Not so much a favorite food reference as something associated with Epicurus.

    Lucian: Sale of Philosophers

    19

    Her. What name?

    Fifth D. Dion; of Syracuse.

    Her. Take him, and much good may he do you. Now I want Epicureanism. Who offers for Epicureanism? He is a disciple of the laughing creed and the drunken creed, whom we were offering just now. But he has one extra accomplishment — impiety. For the rest, a dainty, lickerish creed.

    Sixth D. What price?

    Her. Eight pounds.

    Sixth D. Here you are. By the way, you might let me know what he likes to eat.

    Her. Anything sweet. Anything with honey in it. Dried figs are his favourite dish.

    Sixth D. That is all right. We will get in a supply of Carian fig-cakes.

    Sale of Creeds | Vitarum auctio [The Lucian of Samosata Project]

    Don I know I read that one in the past so maybe that is what I remembered.

    I checked your link and the section about that is a pretty clear indictment of Platonic forms!

    Lucian is a tremendous source of information.

    Quote from Cassius

    Lucian is a tremendous source of information.

    And fun to read! (not belly laughing funny maybe, but I've gotten a chuckle out of him on numerous occasions as well as "Ha! Good one" too. He certainly didn't suffer fools or look kindly on pomposity.)

    Images of Epicurus -- I notice subtle differences in various renderings and sculptures -- subtle differences in the facial expression of the mouth. Can post more soon. Found this recently (not sure if it is on the forum in another location).

    Epicurus face reconstruction

    Alessandro Tomasi na Twitteru
    “Face reconstruction of the Greek philosopher Epicurus, founder of the Epicurean school of philosophy (341–270 BC)”
    mobile.twitter.com

    I have to say that of the ones I have seen this one is my favorite:


    Start at 2:04:

    Something to keep in mind with the images:

    Epicurus was around 35 when he moved to Athens for good.

    He died around 71/72 years old.

    So, a younger (yes, 30s is younger! :) ) Epicurus gets at what her looked like writing to Menoikeus.

    Grey-haired Epicurus is when he's established and celebrating his birthday with everyone in the Garden.

    Quote from Don

    Epicurus gets at what her looked like writing to Menoikeus.

    Do you think it's safe to presume that letter was written soon after arrival in Athens?

    I know people say the style is different and we can presume something from that, but frankly I'm not sure how to interpret that.

    Quote from Cassius
    Quote from Don

    Epicurus gets at what her looked like writing to Menoikeus.

    Do you think it's safe to presume that letter was written soon after arrival in Athens?

    I know people say the style is different and we can presume something from that, but frankly I'm not sure how to interpret that.

    Safe as any literary critical analysis. My main point was simply to urge us to remember that Epicurus was a living, breathing human being who lived a full life from youngster with his parents through old age.

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