Epicurus (341-270 BC)

Greek philosopher, founder of Epicureanism, who held that all things are made up of atoms. His theory of knowledge stresses the role of sense perception, and in his ethics the most desired condition is a serene detachment based on the avoidance of anxiety and physical pain.

Epicurus taught at Athens from 306 BC, and was influential in both Greek and Roman thinking. For example, his atomic theory was adopted by the Roman Epicurean Lucretius.