Philosophy and politics at the end of the Roman Republic: Two case studies, Lucretius and Atticus
Anglade, Laurent
Philosophy and politics at the end of the Roman Republic: Two case studies, Lucretius and Atticus - 2015.
13
The author proposes reconsidering the relationship between Epicureanism and politics at the end of the Roman Republic. For half a century, the debate has revolved around the “republicanism” or the “monarchism” of the Epicureans. However, the author proposes to leave aside this determinism and to study these relationships according to the opposition between the Populares and Optimates, through two Roman Epicureans: Atticus and Lucretius. Atticus is described as Optimas by Cornelius Nepos and Cicero, while Lucretius, in the introductory sections to his De Natura Rerum, uses a popularis vocabulary. From a philosophical standpoint, the Epicureans were neither outside the city nor ahead of it: they were embedded in the heart of contemporary political debates.
Philosophy and politics at the end of the Roman Republic: Two case studies, Lucretius and Atticus - 2015.
13
The author proposes reconsidering the relationship between Epicureanism and politics at the end of the Roman Republic. For half a century, the debate has revolved around the “republicanism” or the “monarchism” of the Epicureans. However, the author proposes to leave aside this determinism and to study these relationships according to the opposition between the Populares and Optimates, through two Roman Epicureans: Atticus and Lucretius. Atticus is described as Optimas by Cornelius Nepos and Cicero, while Lucretius, in the introductory sections to his De Natura Rerum, uses a popularis vocabulary. From a philosophical standpoint, the Epicureans were neither outside the city nor ahead of it: they were embedded in the heart of contemporary political debates.
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