# Epicurus — Tusculan Disputations character guide

> Epicurus in Tusculan Disputations by Cicero.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Epicurus

**First appearance:** 0001-tusculan-disputations

## Snapshot

The garden philosopher whose promise that death is nothing to us becomes Cicero's most dangerous rival for Rome's soul.

## Who they are

Epicurus stands as the great counterweight in Cicero's argument, the teacher who told his followers that pleasure rightly understood is the highest good and that death, being mere dissolution, deserves no fear. Cicero cannot dismiss him, because the Epicurean account of mortality is seductive and coherent, and it threatens to make courage and virtue unnecessary. Much of the dialogue's energy comes from Cicero's determination to beat Epicurus on his own ground, showing that freedom from fear is not the same as greatness of soul.

## Relationships

### [Philo of Larissa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/philo_of_larissa)

_rivalry_

Philo of Larissa, as an Academic skeptic, often critiques Epicurean philosophy, representing a clash between Epicurean and Academic schools.

### [Telamon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/telamon)

_social_

Telamon, a figure from Greek mythology (father of Ajax), is used by Epicurus in philosophical arguments about grief and virtue.

## In the story

### [Tusculan Disputations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters/tusculan-disputations)

Criticized for his hedonistic views and denial of the soul's immortality; his philosophy is contrasted with Stoic and Platonic ideals.

### [Book II: On Bearing Pain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters/book-ii-on-bearing-pain)

Criticized for claiming pain is the greatest evil and for absurdly asserting that a wise man in Phalaris's bull would call it sweet.

### [Book III: On Grief of Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters/book-iii-on-grief-of-mind)

His view on grief is critiqued: he argues that premeditating evils is foolish and that one should turn to pleasure instead.

### [Book V: Whether Virtue Alone Be Sufficient for a Happy Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters/book-v-whether-virtue-alone-be-sufficient-for-a-happy-life)

Praised for some noble sayings but faulted for inconsistency, since he defines good as pleasure yet claims the wise can defy fortune.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters/epicurus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/characters