Here are both versions for ease of direct comparison. My guess is that either Cicero alone is correct, or Diogenes is also correct and multiple letters were sent out.
To Whom Was Epicurus' Last Letter Addressed?
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Eikadistes -
December 30, 2024 at 10:58 AM
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Translation Tuesday: The Letter to IdomeneusA glimpse of the dying Epicurus and an encapsulation of his philosophyopen.substack.com
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Odd synchronicity for the article and your comment, which both also occurred today! I was unaware.
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Plus it never hit me until I read Gedney's article: Epicurus could say to look after Metrodorus's children because it was Epicurus himself who had responsibility for them currently. So, could Epicurus have been the head of a household taking care of the children?
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Here are both versions for ease of direct comparison. My guess is that either Cicero alone is correct, or Diogenes is also correct and multiple letters were sent out.
Gedney noted (as you did) that the letter is addressed to υμιν "you all" (plural 2nd person), so the letter could have been addressed to the members of the school or the "governing board" if you will, which could have included both Hermarchus and Idomeneus. Cicero is closer in time to Epicurus than Diogenes Laertius, so maybe giving him the upper hand in authenticity is warranted??
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