Seite 55 von 62

EMPEDOCLES of Agrigentum, fl. 5th century B.C., a philosopher,

who first laid down that there were "four elements." He believed

in the transmigration of souls, and the indestructibility of

matter.

Epictetus, a famous Stoic philosopher. He was of Phrygia, at

first a slave, then freedman, lame, poor, and contented. The work

called Encheiridion was compiled by a pupil from his discourses.

Epicureans, a sect of philosophers founded by Epicurus, who

"combined the physics of Democritus," i.e. the atomic theory,

"with the ethics of Aristippus."

They proposed to live for happiness, but the word did not bear

that coarse and vulgar sense originally which it soon took.

Epicurus of Samos, 342-270 B.C.

Lived at Athens in his "gardens," an urbane and kindly, if

somewhat useless, life. His character was simple and temperate,

and had none of the vice or indulgence which was afterwards

associated with the name of Epicurean.

Eudoxus of Cnidus, a famous astronomer and physician of the 4th

century B. C.