Core Texts

Texts Written By Epicureans

• Epicurus' Letter to Herodotus. Epicurus' primary letter on physics and the beginning points of his philosophy.
• Epicurus' Letter to Pythocles. Epicurus' primary letter on understanding the phenomena we see in the sky.
• Epicurus' Letter to Menoeceus. Epicurus' primary letter on ethics and how to live.
• Lucretius' "On The Nature of Things" The monumental poetic presentation of Epicurean philosophy. This link takes you to the EpicureanFriends Lucretius Navigation Guide where you can select from several Lucretius translations. Please post comments and questions in the Lucretius forum here. A three column topical outline and finding aid for Lucretius is here
• Diogenes of Oinoanda's Inscription. This link takes you to a page in Catalonia where the Martin Ferguson Smith translation is available.
• Twelve Fundamentals of Nature. This list of twelve observations about Nature no longer survives, but various commentators have suggested its contents based on what survives in the Letter to Herodotus and Lucretius Books One And Two.

Compilations / Commentaries

• Biography of Epicurus By Diogenes Laertius. The ancient biography of Epicurus, containing several letters and the list of his key doctrines.
• Torquatus from "On Ends." An excellent presentation of the Epicurean view of the relationship between "Pleasure" and "Virtue." This document was prepared by Cicero based on Epicurean texts available to him around 50 BC. Click the following for the Complete On Ends as translated by Reid.
• Velleius from "On The Nature of the Gods." A presentation on the Epicurean view of the gods as they exist in the intermundia. As with "On Ends," Cicero's "On the Nature of the Gods" was prepared based presumably on Epicurean authorities of his time.
• Principal Doctrines. This list of forty doctrines focuses on attitudes and observations important in living an Epicurean life.
• Vatican List of Sayings of Epicurus. This list of Epicurean sayings was found in the Vatican Library.
• Letter to Idomeneus. Epicurus' letter on his dying day.
• The Will of Epicurus. Epicurus' last will and testament.
• EpicureanFriends Fragment Collection (Curated Collection of Usener and Bailey's Collection of Fragments). A work-in-progress "Topical Collection" is here.

Other Texts And Documents

• List of Treatises Available At Archive.org and other places (NewEpicurean.com Library page)
• Letters Between Cicero and Cassius Longinus
• Plutarch - That It Is Not Possible To Live Pleasurably By The Doctrines of Epicurus
• Letters Between Cicero And Cassius Longinus (at Attalus.org)
• Lucian of Samosata (texts available here)

We are frequently asked about a list of recommended reading. You will do yourself a big favor if you start with "Epicurus and His Philosophy" by Norman DeWitt, but below are several links to lists of books and discussions of reading suggestions that are freely available.

There are many controversies as to the proper interpretation of Epicurus. If, instead of starting with DeWitt or the primary sources, you choose to read any of most modern book written in the last 30 years, you will find Epicurus presented to you as being primarily interested in "absence of pain" as if that is in opposition to "pleasure." That is why many of us at this forum recommend Norman DeWitt's "Epicurus and His Philosophy" as a starting point. DeWitt's perspective is found in the opening chapter of his book which can be read for free here. DeWitt wrote a shorter article - "Philosophy For The Millions" - summarizing his perspectives here.

As of 2023 there is a new major book which is an exception to the prior paragraph: Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure." Dr. Austin's book is a highly readable and practical treatment of Epicurean ethics that indeed focuses on "Pleasure" as Epicurus' statement of the goal of life.

Usener's Epicurea

Click here for our page on Usener.

Reading List

Click Below for our recommended reading list:

Can You Suggest A Reading List For New Students of Epicurus? - Epicureanfriends.com

www.epicureanfriends.com

Here is a "library" page at NewEpicurean.com with links to where many additional translations are available for free on the internet.

Below is a chart of topics linked to the places where they are discussed here at EpicureanFriends.com: