1. 385L38

2. BRONZE AGE
BCE
Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations
DARK AGE
BCE
economic collapse
ARCHAIC PERIOD
BCE
trade and economic renewal
literacy
rise of polis
Presocratic speculation
CLASSICAL PERIOD
BCE
Athenian supremacy
scientific advances: logic, astronomy, medicine, physics, mathematics, biology…
research institutes (Academy, Lyceum)
HELLENISTIC PERIOD
BCE
Alexander the Great
syncretism
research libraries (Alexandria, Pergamon)
ROMAN REPUBLIC
BCE
Roman conquest of Greece (150)
expansion of Empire
ROMAN EMPIRE
31 BCE — 476 CE
collapse of Republic
imperial rule
religious cults
“fall” of Rome

3. • loss of traditional community frameworks • inadequacy of polis religion • rise of eschatological cults (Pythagoreanism, Orphism) and associations • influx of foreign (religious, magical) influences • consolidation of power in bureaucracies and totalitarian systems • rise of interest in magic • rise of individualistic philosophies • rise of interest in astrology

4. • loss of traditional community frameworks • inadequacy of polis religion • rise of eschatological cults (Pythagoreanism, Orphism) and associations • influx of foreign (religious, magical) influences • consolidation of power in bureaucracies and totalitarian systems • rise of interest in magic • rise of individualistic philosophies • rise of interest in astrology

5. Roots of Epicureanism 515-445 Parmenides material monism ca. 420 BCE
Demokritos
corpuscular-atomic theory
BCE
Plato
geometrical astronomy
BCE
Aristotle
astronomy, logic, physics, meteorology, biology, psychology...
BCE
Epicurus
Epicureanism
ca. 300 BCE
Zeno
Stoicism
99-55 BCE
Lucretius
Epicureanism (De Rerum Natura)
4 BCE – 65 CE
Seneca CE
M. Aurelius

6. Corpuscular Theory : Demokritos (ca. 420 BCE)
•All that is real are -atoms (atoma) : infinite numerically, in size, and shapes -void (kenon) : infinite in extent -movement : incessant •Atoma differ only in shape (AN), arrangement (NA), and position (NZ). •Atoma continuously move through kenon at different speeds, as determined by weight (= a function of size). •Phenomena (both quantitative and qualitative) come into being when atoma collide and interlock to form combinations. •Phenomena pass out of existence when atomic bonds disintegrate.

7. Epicureanism : Epicurus (341-270)
Physics • Reality composed of invisible atoma in different sizes and shapes. • At indeterminate times and places atoma swerve and collide. • Clusters of interlocking atoma give rise to world. Theology • Gods are made of fine, round atoma, and can neither be touched, nor can they touch human beings. • Death is dispersal of atoma. Ethics • Only unconditional good = pleasure. Only unconditional evil = pain. • Pleasure mainly negative = freedom from pain and trouble (ataraxia). • Free will = corollary to "swerve" of atoma. • Avoid public life, emotional contacts.