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When Was Epicurus Born?

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This is a complicated calculation which has been much discussed over the years. Our current best discussion of this calculation is on this lexicon page, which is based on the latest discussion thread here which is itself contain in this section of the "Epicurus" subforum. The short answer current consensus thought seems to be as calculated on this table prepared by Nate with this conclusion:

Quote

Quote from Nate from the post linked above

I think celebrating Epicurus' Ceremonial Birthday (Gamelion 20) on January 20th is the way to go for anyone using the Julian calendar. Furthermore, it is the case that in 1987, 1998, 2006, 2017, 2025, 2036, and 2063, Gamelion 20 actually did/does fall on January the 20th, so there are a handful of days when Greeks who practiced according to the Attic calendar, and modern Twentiers who practice with the Julian calendar would have simultaneous celebrations.

Kalosyni, I note that while the Panhellenic Symposium of Epicurean Philosophy (PSEP) is held in February, it occurs on different days every year. For example, this year it was held on the 19-20th. In 2017, it was the 10-11th. In 2016, it was the 6-7th. In 2015, it was the 7-8th. These dates do not correspond with a consistent date on the Attic calendar.

Additionally, while the ceremonial celebration of Epicurus Birthday (on mid-Winter Eikas) sometimes falls in February, it falls in January more often than February. According to my calculations, Epicurus' birth year (Year 3 of the 109th Olympiad, which corresponds with Summer 342 BCE to Summer 341 BCE) would host Gamelion 7 on January 11, 341 BCE and would host Gamelion 20 on January 24, 341 BCE). Either way, during the year of Epicurus' birth, both Gamelion 7 and Gamelion 20 fell in the Julian month of January, so I respectfully disagree with the PSEP (and Wikipedia).

I am curious which Attic Year it is that the PSEP considers to be "the first ceremonial celebration of Epicurus' Birthday". It probably was not until 310 BCE or later that the annual celebration of Epicurus birth date (Gamelion 7) was re-oriented toward the celebration of mid-Winter Eikas (Gamelion 20) because this represents the beginning of friendship with the Lampsacus crew who would go on to carry his torch; Gamelion 20 of that year fell on February 11th 310 BCE.

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  • What Happened at an Epicurean Symposium?

    Kalosyni September 21, 2026 at 2:21 PM
  • Suggestions For - "What I Wish I Had Known At 21 That I Now Know From Studying Epicurus"

    Cassius September 21, 2026 at 8:02 AM
  • Episode 349 - EATAQ31 - Navigating Questions of Knowledge With Ships and Heaps

    Patrikios September 20, 2026 at 9:39 AM
  • Happy Twentieth of September 2026!

    Cassius September 20, 2026 at 9:27 AM
  • Revisiting Issues of The Use of AI in Epicurean Philosophy

    Kalosyni September 20, 2026 at 8:01 AM
  • Episode 352 - EATAQ34 - Dogs, Wolves, And What Is That In Sheeps' Clothing? - Not Yet Recorded

    Cassius September 19, 2026 at 7:36 PM
  • Episode 351 - EATAQ33 - Heap Big Trouble For The Stoic - Platonic Approach To Knowledge

    Cassius September 19, 2026 at 6:36 AM
  • Exposition therapy,Courage and when choosing Pain

    SillyApe September 18, 2026 at 6:11 PM
  • A Systematic Review of the Determinants of Happiness (Article)

    Kalosyni September 14, 2026 at 4:13 PM
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    Cassius September 13, 2026 at 6:32 AM

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