Epicurean Conturbernium - Essay By Norman DeWitt

VI.-Epicurean Contubernium NORMAN W. DEWITT - UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

VI.-Epicurean Contubernium

NORMAN W. DEWITT - UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Early persecutions and chronic ill-health are insufficient to account for the non-political or quietistic character of Epicurean doctrines. From

the first there was an element of mystic fellowship in the school. The bond of union was love and the goal a new disposition amenable to a

specific discipline. Communicants were required to receive and to administer correction with frankness, firmness and good humor. The Greek

term XXXXXX was rendered contubernium in silver Latin, earlier by consuetudo, convictus, or the like. Frequent mention by Cicero attests the

familiarity of the idea. Tacitus employs the phrase felix contubernium of Vergil and his friends, which throws a new light on Augustan relationships.