Epicurean Texts

Ancient Epicurean Texts - Discussion, interpretatations, Greek/Latin word translations

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  1. Ancient Epicurean Texts (300 BC to 300 AD)
  2. The Lucretius Today Podcast and other Projects
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Expanding Accessibility of Epicurean Texts

This subforum is devoted to discussion and group collaboration to make Epicurean texts more accessible in modern English and other languages
Threads
3
Posts
34
Last Posts
Personal Epicurean Knowledge Base Using Text (Markdown) Files
Cassius February 17, 2022 at 2:36 AM
Lucretius - Essential and most important texts
Cassius January 27, 2020 at 3:54 PM

Translation Issues (General)

Threads
8
Posts
84
Last Posts
Discussion on Exercising Caution When Studying Fragments
Cassius March 31, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Did Epicurus Advise Marriage or Not? Diogenes Laertius Text Difficulty
Don October 30, 2024 at 11:55 AM

Translators and Translations

Threads
2
Posts
5
Last Posts
Gassendi's Engish Version of Life of Epicurus - Thomas Stanley Edition
Cassius August 30, 2023 at 7:14 AM
Gassendi
Cassius May 21, 2020 at 9:26 PM

Key Greek and Latin Words

Threads
4
Posts
39
Last Posts
Discussion on Ataraxia: freedom from anxiety....What is it?...How can we attain it in a world mad with chaos and conflict?
DavidN February 22, 2024 at 6:29 PM
The Meaning of the Greek Word "Aponia"
Don December 4, 2023 at 12:30 PM

Epicurus - Letters And Works

The key surviving documents from Epicurus himself, including the Letter to Herodotus, the Letter to Pythocles, the letter to Menoeceus, the Principal Doctrines, and the "Vatican" List of Sayings.

The Letter to Herodotus

Discussion of the Letter to Herodotus - On The Nature Of The Universe
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2
Posts
2
Last Posts
The Letter to Herodotus
Cassius May 1, 2019 at 9:11 PM
The Letter to Herodotus - Translation By Cyril Bailey
Cassius April 30, 2015 at 9:18 AM

The Letter to Pythocles

Discussion of the Letter to Pythocles - On Celestial Observations
Threads
3
Posts
3
Last Posts
The phenomenon listed in the Letter to Pythocles, and our current scientific understanding
Kalosyni July 15, 2024 at 5:40 PM
The Letter to Pythocles
Cassius May 1, 2019 at 9:12 PM

The Letter to Menoeceus

Discussion of the letter to Menoeceus - On How To Live
Threads
12
Posts
186
Last Posts
The powerful chain / necklace of Prudence/Honour/Justice
Matteng April 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Proposed Menoikeus Week-long (7 Session) Study Guide Outline
Don July 25, 2024 at 8:29 AM

The Letter to Idomeneus

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1
Posts
1
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The Letter to Idomeneus
Cassius May 1, 2019 at 9:14 PM

On Nature

Collecting and discussing the available fragments.
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4
Posts
38
Last Posts
Epíkouros' On Nature, Book 28 vs. Plato's Cratylus
Bryan February 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Epicurus, On Nature, Book 34, P.Herc. 1431, col. 16
Don May 31, 2024 at 9:31 AM

Epicurus - Principal Doctrines

This subforum is devoted to the Principal Doctrines of Epicurus.  Please note:

  • ** If you would like to make a comment or ask a question that concerns them all, please use the "General" subforum below. 

  • ** If your question or comment relates to a particular doctrine, click the appropriate doctrine in the numbered chart below, and you will see the existing threads for that doctrine. 

  • ** If you start a new thread on a particular doctrine, please entitle it "PDXX - Topic," and use the appropriate PDXX Tag so that your thread can be found in the future.

  • ** For a full list of all Principal Doctrines click here.

 

** The Vatican List Of Sayings Of Epicurus **

PD01 | PD02 | PD03 | PD04 | PD05
PD06 | PD07 | PD08 | PD09 | PD10
PD11 | PD12 | PD13 | PD14 | PD15
PD16 | PD17 | PD18 | PD19 | PD20
PD21 | PD22 | PD23 | PD24 | PD25
PD26 | PD27 | PD28 | PD29 | PD30
PD31 | PD32 | PD33 | PD34 | PD35
PD36 | PD37 | PD38 | PD39 | PD40
Threads
111
Posts
898
Last Posts
PD33 - Alternate Translations
Cassius July 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
PD32 - Alternate Translations
Cassius July 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM

General Discussion - Applicable To All Principal Doctrines

Threads
9
Posts
120
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What if Kyriai Doxai was NOT a list?
Don June 5, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Presenting the Principal Doctrines in Narrative Form
Don June 22, 2023 at 6:07 PM

Epicurus - The "Vatican List" of Sayings

This subforum is devoted to the Vatican List of Sayings.  Please note:

  • ** If you would like to make a comment or ask a question that concerns them all, please use the "General" subforum below. 

  • ** If your question or comment relates to a particular saying, click the appropriate saying in the numbered chart below, and you will see the existing threads for that saying. 

  • ** If you start a new thread on a particular saying, please entitle it "VSXX - Topic," and use the appropriate VSXX Tag so that your thread can be found in the future.

  • ** For a full list of all Vatican Sayings click here.

 

** The Vatican List Of Sayings Of Epicurus **

VS01 | VS02 | VS03 | VS04 | VS05
VS06 | VS07 | VS08 | VS09 | VS10
VS11 | VS12 | VS13 | VS14 | VS15
VS16 | VS17 | VS18 | VS19 | VS20
VS21 | VS22 | VS23 | VS24 | VS25
VS26 | VS27 | VS28 | VS29 | VS30
VS31 | VS32 | VS33 | VS34 | VS35
VS36 | VS37 | VS38 | VS39 | VS40
VS41 | VS42 | VS43 | VS44 | VS45
VS46 | VS47 | VS48 | VS49 | VS50
VS51 | VS52 | VS53 | VS54 | VS55
VS56 | VS57 | VS58 | VS59 | VS60
VS61 | VS62 | VS63 | VS64 | VS65
VS66 | VS67 | VS68 | VS69 | VS70
VS71 | VS72 | VS73 | VS74 | VS75
VS76 | VS77 | VS78 | VS79 | VS80
VS81 | | | |
Threads
105
Posts
330
Last Posts
VS80 - Thread Starter
Cassius July 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
VS79 - Thread Starter
Cassius July 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM

General Aspects Applicable To All "Vatican Sayings"

Threads
2
Posts
7
Last Posts
Pictures of "The Vatican Sayings" As Discovered in The Vatican
Bryan July 11, 2023 at 6:06 PM
Vatican Sayings – Brief Study Guide
Hiram November 25, 2018 at 1:05 PM

Diogenes Laertius - Biography of Epicurus And Summary of Doctrines

Diogenes Laertius (General)

Threads
4
Posts
72
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Diogenes Laertius on Epicurean Ethics
Godfrey December 2, 2021 at 1:58 AM
Best Recent Version of Diogenes Laertius?
Cassius September 6, 2021 at 9:45 AM

The Biography and Will of Epicurus

Discussion of the Biography and Last Will of Epicurus
Threads
5
Posts
10
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The Biography of Epicurus By Diogenes Laertius
Don November 1, 2023 at 1:38 PM
Diogenes Laertius Biography of Epicurus Loeb Edition
Cassius January 16, 2022 at 12:39 PM

The Sayings As To The Wise Man (from Diogenes Laertius)

Discussions of each of the sayings recorded by Diogenes Laertius as those regarding the "Wise Man"
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4
Posts
76
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The Sayings As To The Wise Man
Kalosyni August 19, 2023 at 9:11 PM
"Wise Man" Saying as to Rejoicing At the Misfortune of Another
Don July 3, 2021 at 1:00 PM

Lucretius - On The Nature of Things

Discussion of the great poem of Epicurean Literature "De Rerum Natura"

General Discussion of "On The Nature of Things"

Threads
34
Posts
234
Last Posts
Best Lucretius translation?
Eikadistes July 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The Religion of Nature - as supported by Lucretius' De Rerum Natura
Godfrey June 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM

Lucretius PDF Reference Edition

Threads
2
Posts
14
Last Posts
Lucretius - Epicureanfriends.com Reference Edition - Version 01 - 01/11/20
Cassius January 11, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Lucretius EpicureanFriends PDF Reference Edition - General Comments
Cassius October 7, 2019 at 12:35 PM

Versions of the Text of Lucretius

This forum is for discussion of the many different translations and editions of the text of the poem.
Threads
14
Posts
188
Last Posts
Favorite Translation of Lucretius
Cassius June 27, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Lucretius - Side-By-Side English and Latin Versions
Cassius March 31, 2025 at 7:41 PM

De Rerum Natura - Topics By Book

Topics By Book
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12
Posts
67

Book 1

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4
Posts
21
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"Pleasure" and the opening line of Lucretius
Little Rocker January 13, 2023 at 7:29 PM
The blazing battlements of the world
Cassius July 17, 2021 at 7:32 PM

Book 2

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2
Posts
2
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"Each creature knows its own kind, no less than men, and so unite together."
Cassius September 16, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Four Translations of A Key Selection from Lucretius - Gods Did Not Design the World for Men, and Pleasure is the Guide of Life
Cassius June 30, 2018 at 9:55 AM

Book 3

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1
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1
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The Nature of the Mind, the Spirit, and Death
Kalosyni March 11, 2024 at 9:27 AM

Book 4

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0
Posts
0

Book 5

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1
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10
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Epicurean philosophy skewing toward elements of Stoicism in the time of Lucretius??
Godfrey April 29, 2025 at 12:36 AM

Book 6

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4
Posts
33
Last Posts
The Vessel Analogy At The Opening of Lucretius Book Six
Don September 14, 2023 at 7:01 PM
Thoughts On What Lucretius Might Have Considered For The Ending of Book Six - A Comparison Chart of Thucydides and Lucretius
Joshua January 15, 2023 at 9:17 PM

De Rerum Natura - Major Topic Categories

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5
Posts
41

Lucretius on Pleasure

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1
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8
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Article: "Lucretian Pleasures" by Sedley
Cassius October 18, 2023 at 12:59 PM

The Swerve of the Atom

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0
Posts
0

Reconciliations To Death

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1
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7
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Article on Lucretius and "Death is Nothing to Us"
Godfrey April 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM

On Romantic Love And Marriage

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0
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0

Images

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1
Posts
1
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Use and Misuse of "Images" and "Fantastic Impressions"
Cassius March 14, 2017 at 5:13 PM

The Plague of Athens

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1
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2
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Ovid and the Classical Plague Narrative Tradition by Jonathan M. Entwisle
Cassius April 1, 2022 at 7:47 PM

Language, Words, and Concepts

Language, Word, and Concepts
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1
Posts
23
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Lucretius On The Development of Language
Joshua October 25, 2019 at 1:49 PM

Diogenes of Oinoanda

The Inscription of Diogenes of Oinoanda

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6
Posts
31
Last Posts
New Article on the Inscription (And the "Bitter Gift" Misattribution)
Don June 18, 2023 at 12:11 AM
The "Shout" Passage
Cassius May 19, 2022 at 8:52 PM

Philodemus - Texts and Fragments

Links and Information from Philodemus including from the scrolls found at the Villa de Papyri in Herculaneum.

General Discussion - Texts From Philodemus

Threads
13
Posts
106
Last Posts
Philodemus on the Therapy of Vice - Tsouna Article
Kalosyni April 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Against Heracleodorus
Don February 8, 2025 at 5:34 AM

Philodemus - On / Against _??_ (In Which The "Tetrapharmakon" Appears)

The Herculaneum scroll of incomplete title in which the "Tetrapharmakon" appears, often referred to by Papyrus Number ( "P.Herc 1005") or by the surviving partial title in Greek "Pros Tous..."
Threads
5
Posts
43
Last Posts
Another Tetrapharmakos Video Discussion
Titus June 3, 2024 at 1:43 PM
The Tetrapharmakon - Sound Epicurean Doctrine, or Oversimplification?
Cassius February 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM

Philodemus On Anger

Threads
2
Posts
21
Last Posts
Philodemus' "On Anger" - General - Texts and Resources
Don June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reasonings on Anger
Hiram May 18, 2015 at 11:16 AM

Philodemus On Death

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0
Posts
0

Philodemus On Frank Criticism

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1
Posts
1
Last Posts
Philodemus Discussion on Frank Speech
Kalosyni September 17, 2023 at 7:20 PM

Philodemus On Methods of Inference

Threads
4
Posts
83
Last Posts
"On Methods of Inference": Notes For Review And Discussion (Including David Sedley Article: "On Signs")
Cassius March 8, 2024 at 8:12 AM
"On Methods of Inference" - Best Source for the Text And Getting Started
Bryan December 14, 2023 at 10:08 AM

Philodemus On Property Management

Threads
2
Posts
83
Last Posts
The Neglect of Metrodorus’ Economics
Elli February 27, 2020 at 8:10 AM
Reasonings
Hiram May 18, 2015 at 11:24 AM

Philodemus On Piety

Threads
2
Posts
3
Last Posts
Good article about Philodemus' On Piety Scroll
Kalosyni August 19, 2024 at 7:21 PM
The "Third Way" Proposed by Ilkka Vuoristo and Hiram Crespo
Hiram May 18, 2015 at 11:31 AM

Philodemus On Poems

Threads
1
Posts
7
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Introduction---Joshua's Notes on "The Good Poem According to Philodemus", by Michael McOsker
Pacatus November 2, 2022 at 12:48 PM

Philodemus On Rhetoric

Threads
2
Posts
9
Last Posts
"Democracy, the worst form of government."
Cassius June 29, 2024 at 9:41 AM
Reasonings About Philodemus’ Rhetorica
Hiram May 18, 2015 at 11:33 AM

Cicero's Philosophical Works

On Ends

Threads
4
Posts
18
Last Posts
High-Quality Narration of: Cicero - On the Ends of Good and Evil
Don June 23, 2024 at 2:11 AM
On Ends Torquatus Section Discussion
Kalosyni May 25, 2023 at 2:33 PM

On The Nature Of The Gods

Threads
2
Posts
8
Last Posts
Youtube Video Discussing Cicero's "On The Nature of The Gods" (Classical Wisdom Podcast)
Godfrey June 10, 2024 at 9:00 PM
Cross-Reference to Lucretius Today Podcast Discussion of "On The Nature Of The Gods"
Cassius May 31, 2024 at 9:29 AM

Tusculun Disputations

Threads
1
Posts
2
Last Posts
Planning for Discussion of "Tusculan Disputations" (Lucretius Today Podcast)
Cassius March 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM

On Fate

Threads
0
Posts
0

On Divination

Threads
0
Posts
0

Academic Questions

Threads
1
Posts
1
Last Posts
Planning for Discussion of "Academic Questions" (Lucretius Today Podcast)
Cassius January 24, 2025 at 7:12 AM

General Discussion of Cicero

Threads
1
Posts
7
Last Posts
A Ciceronian Witticism Referencing Epicurus
Little Rocker May 18, 2024 at 6:11 PM

Other Collections - "The Suda" and "The Greek Anthology"

The Suda

Threads
1
Posts
1
Last Posts
Sources for Information About Epicurus In The Suda
Cassius April 10, 2024 at 9:32 PM

"The Greek Anthology"

Threads
4
Posts
28
Last Posts
Epigram on the Twentieth
Don June 20, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Epigrams on Atomism
Cassius December 11, 2020 at 4:22 PM

Herculaneum Scrolls

Herculaneum Text Research

Threads
14
Posts
55
Last Posts
New Article in 'Nature' - April 23rd, 2025
Joshua April 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
PBS: The Herculaneum scrolls
Cassius October 23, 2024 at 12:48 PM

Miscellaneous

Misc. General

Threads
1
Posts
9
Last Posts
The Garland of Tranquility and a Reposed Life
Kalosyni May 18, 2025 at 9:07 AM

Horace

Threads
1
Posts
1
Last Posts
Meaning behind Horace's Quote
Kalosyni January 22, 2025 at 8:16 AM

Lucian of Samosata - General

Threads
13
Posts
16
Last Posts
Lucian of Samosata in the Index Librorum Prohibitorum
Don March 20, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Epub Version of Lucian's Dialogues That Focus on Epicurus
Cassius March 2, 2022 at 5:56 AM

Alexander the Oracle Monger

Threads
1
Posts
10
Last Posts
Lucian: Alexander, The Oracle-Monger
kochiekoch August 28, 2024 at 1:05 PM

Hermotimus

Threads
1
Posts
1
Last Posts
Lucian: Hermotimus, The Rival Philosophies
Cassius February 14, 2019 at 3:11 PM

The True History

Threads
0
Posts
0

Gassendi Transcription

Place for discussion of the transcription and use of Gassendi's Synopsis of Epicureanism contained in Book Three of Thomas Stanley's "History of Philosophy"
Threads
0
Posts
0

Usener Collection Of References To Epicurus

Our Main Page for Discussion, and the current version of the Harris edition of the Usener Collection pdf, can be found here.

Unread Threads

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    2. Mocking Epithets 1

      • Bryan
      • July 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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    4. Don

      July 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM

    2. Best Lucretius translation? 12

      • Rolf
      • July 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
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    4. Eikadistes

      July 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM

    2. Philodemus' "On Anger" - General - Texts and Resources 19

      • Cassius
      • June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
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    4. Don

      June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM

    2. The Religion of Nature - as supported by Lucretius' De Rerum Natura 4

      • Kalosyni
      • June 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM
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    4. Godfrey

      June 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM

    2. New Blog Post From Elli - " Fanaticism and the Danger of Dogmatism in Political and Religious Thought: An Epicurean Reading"

      • Cassius
      • June 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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