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Hermarchus

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Also known as Hermarchus of Mytilene

Hermarchus or Hermarch (, Hermarkhos; 325 – c. 250 BC), sometimes incorrectly written Hermachus (Ἕρμαχoς, Hermakhos), was an Epicurean philosopher. He was the disciple and successor of Epicurus as head of the school. None of his writings survives. He wrote works directed against Plato, Aristotle, and Empedocles. A fragment from his Against Empedocles, preserved by Porphyry, discusses the need for law in society. His views on the nature of the gods are quoted by Philodemus.

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Key facts

Philosopher.name
Hermarchus
Philosopher.image
Hermarchos Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek IN2689.jpg
Philosopher.caption
Roman marble bust of Hermarchus
Philosopher.region
Western philosophy
Philosopher.birth_date
325 BC
Philosopher.birth_place
Mytilene
Philosopher.death_date
c. 250 BC (aged approx. 75)
Philosopher.era
Hellenistic philosophy
Philosopher.school_tradition
Epicureanism

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Wikidata facts

Image
Bearded Philosopher - Hermarcus or Democritus Palazzo Massimo alle Terme.jpg
Show 3 more facts
date of birth
0325-00-00
date of death
0250-00-00
Commons category
Hermarchus
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3 sections
Contents
  • Life
  • Writings
  • Notes

Hermarchus or Hermarch (, Hermarkhos; 325 – c. 250 BC), sometimes incorrectly written Hermachus (Ἕρμαχoς, Hermakhos), was an Epicurean philosopher. He was the disciple and successor of Epicurus as head of the school. None of his writings survives. He wrote works directed against Plato, Aristotle, and Empedocles. A fragment from his Against Empedocles, preserved by Porphyry, discusses the need for law in society. His views on the nature of the gods are quoted by Philodemus.

==Life== Hermarchus was a son of Agemarchus, a poor man of Mytilene (in insular Greece), and was at first brought up as a rhetorician, but afterwards became a faithful disciple of Epicurus, who left to him his garden, and appointed him his successor as the head of his school, about 270 BC. He died in the house of Lysias at an advanced age, and left behind him the reputation of a great philosopher. Cicero has preserved a letter of Epicurus addressed to him.

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