What’s so great about Epicureanism?

What’s so great about Epicureanism?
Luke Forrester
In the ancient world there were numerous schools of thought. These covered all topics
and opinions and were very popular among the people. It seemed that everyone and their dog
belonged to one formal school of thought or another. But one of the stand outs among the
endless sea of askers why is Epicureanism. The reason that this school of thought’s existence is
even known is because of a little poet called Horace. The very same Horace who coined the
term “carpe deim”. Through his writing and poetry Horace rose from being a homeless veteran
of the civil wars to being in Emperor Augustus’s circle of friends. Epicureanism was
founded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus. It taught that the greatest pleasures in life were
obtained through knowledge, friendship, and living a virtuous life. They also taught that you
only live once, so enjoy yourself. Epicureans were all about getting the best with what you had.
They believed that the ultimate good was to seek modest pleasures that they may attain a state
of tranquility and to be free of fear. Also this state would free them of pain. The state was
obtained through the knowledge of the workings of the world and knowing limits to their
desires. It was originally a challenge to Platonism but was later a main opponent of Stoicism.
These were both rival schools of thought. The students of Epicureanism shunned politics. It was
also considered a form of hedonism, as its main goal is to destroy pain through moderation.
Usually these schools of thought were most popular in Greece, but Romans who took to them
would bring back such ideals with them. They would then tell their friends and family and try to
convince them of its validity. This was how these schools of thought spread and gained new
members. Such teachings and ideals could spread across groups of people like wildfire, making
an impact in the culture. But out of the hundreds of thousands of schools of thought from
ancient Greece and Rome, almost all died out and were forgotten. But why, if these schools of
thought were so popular and influential, would they all die out? Perhaps they died with the
Roman Empire. Or, in the insuring chaos of the fall, people abandoned their adapted morals for
survival. But what is certain is that all those old schools of thought died out. They all were not
impressive enough to keep their members. Every one of those schools had different beliefs and
thoughts and opinions yet they were weak and broke easily. Epicureanism and all of its
contemporaries were nothing but ineffective cults based on logic and opinion and that is why
they have not survived the ages.
To begin to understand what Epicureanism was, it is imperative to look at the entire
history of the school of thought. Epicureanism was founded by a man named Epicurus. He
based the teachings off his gardening experience. Epicureanism was even called “The Garden”.
In general it was a small school of thought but had very devoted followers. Epicureanism
focused more on friendship and relationships as the course to happiness and its members were
no fans of Athenian politics. The school included women and slaves as members, which was
unusual for the time. It is also likely that its members were vegetarians.
Epicureanism is considered one of the three dominant schools of Hellenistic Philosophy.
It shares this title with Stoicism and Skepticism. The three are included in this category because
they survived until the late Roman Empire. Although Epicureanism was enjoying a strong
following it could not live forever. The real death blow to the philosophy was the Edict of Milan.
When Constantine issued this decree and legalized Christianity, the view of Epicureanism
shifted. Christians did not approve of its religious teachings, portrayal of the gods, and
materialistic roots. So began the death of Epicureanism.
The religious teachings that Epicurus passed on to his school of thought are very
interesting and yet quite confusing to one without prior learning in mythology. He taught that
the gods were just there. They had no real purpose except to watch man, like one would watch
ants in an ant farm. This was because the gods were dwelled far from the earth and thus cared
little about humans. Epicurus used this as an explanation to why sacrificing and praying to the
gods was a useless and nonsensical practice. He also claimed that the gods were not the
creators of the universe and, therefore, could not bless nor punish anyone. Because Epicurus
was a huge proponent of the atomic theory of Democritus, he included it in his musings on the
true nature of the gods. Epicurus decided that the gods were made of atoms, just like
everything else. He then went further and claimed that souls were also made of atoms and,
thus, physical energies. But in no way does Epicurus claim that the gods do not exist. Instead,
he paints them as peaceful, immortal beings that dwell in the vastness of space. Epicurus also
explained his beliefs about atom based souls. He claimed that souls, were bound to the bodies
of humans. But that these physical souls were not attached forever, and will escape the body
upon the person’s death. Yet Epicurus taught that there was no life after death. But these were
just his teachings on religious topics. What were the philosophies that Epicurus taught?
The philosophies of Epicureanism are all really centered on the individual and that
person’s own need. The core belief of Epicurean philosophy was that personal pleasure was the
only real good in life. This philosophy of Epicurus was all about gleaning the most pleasure out
of one’s life while doing so in moderation to avoid the discomfort of gluttonous overindulgence.
But this was meant to mean that the pleasures of the mind were the most important. Epicurus
frowned upon physical pleasure because it disturbed one’s peace of mind. He taught that all
desires were to be fought and suppressed. He was also not a huge fan of learning, for he
claimed that it gave rise to desires which could not be suppressed of quenched and, thus, sent
one’s peace of mind into a chaotic downward spiral. This applied for culture, civilization, social
activity, and politics. Epicurus was also not a huge proponent for knowledge. He taught that
knowledge was only to be sought to obliterate fears. These fears were the fear of gods and the
fear of death. Epicurus also wasn’t a marriage fan. He claimed it constantly threatened one’s
peace of mind. Because of this Epicurus lived a life of celibacy but did not require his followers
to do the same. Epicurus also did not advise crime of any nature. His reason was not because of
the moral implications, but because of the fear of discovered and punished. This fear would rob
one’s life of pleasure, making committing crimes damaging to the enjoyment of life. Epicurus
taught that virtue was really not essential to life. In fact, the only reason virtue would be
considered by an Epicurean would be if it led to some sort of happiness. But the one thing
Epicurus thought was very important to life was friendships. Friendships gave satisfaction and
pleasure to multiple parties and thus were essential to living a fulfilling life.
Epicurus also had teachings about justice. He held that justice was to be like a social
contract. To Epicurus justice was an arrangement where one does not do harm and thus is not
harmed. Epicurus taught that the only reason to dwell within the ranks of a society regulated by
laws, was to know that one was protected and thus free to seek happiness. Thus, Epicurus said
that all laws which do not further human happiness are unnecessary.
Now that the history and teachings of Epicureanism have been established, its time to
meet some of the men among the ranks of Epicurus.
During the golden age of Epicureanism there was a man in Rome who was very devoted
to the school of thought. His name was Lucretius and he was very enthusiastic about recruiting
new members to the Epicurean school of thought. He wrote an epic poem called On the Nature
of Things which consisted of six books all in the interest of gaining new members. The poem
mostly deals with the Epicurean views of nature. Some of major members were Hermarchus,
Idomeneus, Colotes, Metrodorus, and Polyaenus.
But the most famous Epicurean is yet to have his say. He was a man who wrote
numerous poems and satires. He is one of the greatest Roman poets known to the modern
world. His name is Horace and he was, truly, an Epicurean.
The man known commonly as Horace was born in a small town known as Venosa.
Although not much is known of his mother, Horace’s father was most likely a freedman. Horace
was born free, however, and was not ashamed of his father’s past. His father owned a farm in
the town of Venosa, which was the childhood home of Horace. But they did not stay at the farm
forever. Horace and his father later moved to Rome where his father took a new job. He
worked at an auction house, paying the seller his asking price and then collecting that sum from
the buyer with interest. He made quite a killing in this line of work and soon became a wealthy
man. This allowed him to send Horace off get the best education available. Horace received his
primary schooling in Rome, while living with his father. Once that was completed, Horace was
sent off to Athens for further learning. He studied Greek and Philosophy while at his Athens
University, and was eternally grateful for his father’s hard work and support. While attending
school in Athens, Julius Caesar was assassinated by the Senate in Rome, which began a very
nasty and bloody civil war. Horace joined the army of the Roman Senate and served under the
infamous Brutus. He was appointed tribunus militum, and fought as such during the Battle of
Philippi. But this civil war was not to last for much longer. Soon after the Battle at Philippi,
Octavian’s forces were declared the victor and Horace found himself on the wrong side of the
political fence. But luckily for Horace, it was decided that all those who had fought against
Octavian would be granted amnesty. So, Horace returned home to Italy, back to the farm that
had belonged to his father. But he soon discovered that the farm had been confiscated; most
likely to be given to one of the officers or other ranking soldiers in Octavian’s army. Horace now
found himself without out of house and home. He had become impoverished overnight and
could see no silver lining. Horace had to do something to save himself from dying in the streets
so he got a job. Even though he was suffering under the harsh reality of poverty, Horace had
enough funds to procure himself a permanent appointment as a scriba quaestorius. This
position was as an official in the Treasury department. This job allowed Horace financial
security, giving him the ability to write his poetry. Horace soon became a member of the
ancient Roman literary elite. He became friends with Virgil and Lucius Varius Rufus. Through
this circle of friends he was introduced to a man named Maecenas. Maecenas was a personal
friend of Emperor Augustus and had a good deal of money. He became Horace’s patron and
soon the two became close friends. Maecenas even gave Horace an estate in the Sabine Hills.
Horace’s life ended not long after the death of Maecenas. Horace died in the year 8 BCE at the
age of 57. And what of Horace’s magnificent estate? Because Horace had no heirs he decided to
give the property to his friend Emperor Augustus for the use of imperial needs.
The life of Horace was one filled with unexpected events and fruitful friendships. But
what of Horace the Epicurean? If Horace was such a dedicated Epicurean and a poet, then his
beliefs must have bled into his writings, right? That is a question which can only be answered by
examining the works of the man himself.
Horace wrote many poems in his time. His favorite to write, and the type he specialized
in, was lyric poetry. Horace’s writings also varied on the way they were presented. Horace
wrote numerous Odes, all which were untitled. He also wrote satires which poked fun at
different topics. But the place where his Epicurean values are most present are in the Odes.
One of his first Odes, Ode 1.1, has a very strong Epicurean undertone. The poem deals with the
decisions people make in deciding what to do with their lives. At the end Horace states his
choice of writing lyric poetry. Horace shows that even though his is not the most exciting or
heroic, it is what makes him happy. And the quest for happiness in life is central to Epicurean
philosophy. Another poem which shows Epicurean traits is Ode 1.37. This Ode speaks of
Cleopatra’s defeat at the battle of Actium and her honorable suicide. Horace mentions that it
was a time for drinking and celebration. But Horace also warns against too much celebration as
it brings on unfounded overconfidence. This resembles the Epicurean teaching that
overindulgence is bad and should be avoided. In Ode 2.3 Horace speaks of moderation,
enjoyment and death to Dellius. The moderation of pleasure to get the full enjoyment out of
life is a solid Epicurean teaching while death is represented as an exile, emphasizing the need to
make the most out of life now and not wait. In Ode 2.10 Horace argues in favor of building
one’s life around a golden mean. This meaning that it is best to follow the middle road than
rather lean to one side or the other. This exhibits the Epicurean teaching that moderation in all
things was the path to happiness in life. The final Ode which exhibits an outwardly Epicurean
view is Ode 1.11. This is a true example of Epicureanism at work. The poem mainly deals with
known that being satisfied with your current conditions and let fate guide you than to try to see
the future. And while this is, itself, a pure example of Epicurean philosophy this poem contains
one of the most famous Latin quotes in the history of the language. This is the poem in which
Horace unleashed his phrase, carpe diem, seize the day. This has become like a slogan for
Epicureanism. Those two little words embody the heart and soul of Epicurean philosophy. Seize
the day for that’s all we really have in life.
For all of its logical explanations and philosophical beliefs, Epicureanism is still nothing
more than an ancient hedonistic cult. Now the term cult is used lightly and only to describe a
group of people brought together under one man’s philosophy, but Epicureanism is still nothing
more than one man’s musings about things. Epicurus based his whole philosophy on his
gardening. His teachings about the gods were heretical, even in his polytheistic culture. But
Epicureanism was not entirely bad. It gave answers to many people who were searching for
something to believe in. it inspired one of the greatest Latin writers to compose in its honor.
But for all its good, Epicureanism was still a system of falsehoods based upon the perceptions of
a man who believed that moderation was the path to happiness.
The ancient school of philosophy known as Epicureanism has had quite the run. It began
as one man’s musings and beliefs and became a strong and popular school of thought. Its
secular teachings and core values of happiness in life became a writing topic for Horace and
leant to his success. And although Epicureanism died out it left its permanent mark on history.
But Epicureanism was only a school of philosophy and held no merit to the progressing world.