Philosophy and Culture from Alexander to Augustine

Alexander the Great

Conquered regions, fostering cultural exchange.

Hellenistic Era

Period from 323 to 30 BCE, marked by cultural diffusion.

Skepticism

Philosophical approach questioning certainty and truth.

Ataraxia

State of serene calmness and freedom from worry.

Pyrrho of Elais

Founder of Skepticism; little known due to lost writings.

Epicurus of Samos

Philosopher advocating pleasure and moderation in life.

Pleasure of the belly

Epicurus's belief in pleasure as life's root good.

Moderation

Avoiding intense pleasure to prevent intense pain.

Unfulfilled desire

Source of pain according to Epicurus's philosophy.

Atoms

Basic units of matter, fundamental to Epicurus's worldview.

Teleology

Belief in purpose; Epicurus denied its existence.

Cosmos

All matter exists by accident, not by design.

Death according to Epicurus

Death is insignificant; lacks sensation and meaning.

The Garden

Epicurus's meeting place for followers in Athens.

Quasi-religion

Epicureanism viewed as a community with dogmatic principles.

Hegemon

Title for Epicurus among his followers.

Library at Alexandria

Symbol of knowledge and learning in Hellenistic times.

Cultural exchange

Interaction between Europe and Asia post-Alexander.

Philosophical Schools of Athens

Centers of thought during the Hellenistic Era.

Gold Dinar of Kanishka I

Currency from the Kushan Empire, c.127/8 to 152 CE.

Statue of the Buddha

Art reflecting Hellenistic influence in Gandhara.

Classical Bust of Epicurus

Representation of Epicurus, emphasizing his philosophical legacy.

Classical Bust of Pyrrho

Depiction of the founder of Skepticism.

Epicurus

Philosopher advocating for friendship over sex.

Epicureanism

Philosophy emphasizing pleasure and friendship.

Sexual Relations

Permitted if no harm or laws are broken.

Friendship

Highest form of social pleasure for Epicurus.

Public Life Withdrawal

Epicurus believed in avoiding public engagement.

Cynicism

Lifestyle rejecting societal norms and conventions.

Antisthenes

First cynic, companion of Socrates, advocated simplicity.

Diogenes of Sinope

Famous cynic known for extreme lifestyle.

Moral Discourses

Diogenes' teachings on ethics and natural living.

Self-Sufficiency

Cynics aimed for independence and minimal needs.

Cameo Rings

Epicureans wore rings with Epicurus' bust.

Epicurean Garden

Gathering place for followers of Epicurus.

Rejecting Public Values

Cynics believed in living naturally and honestly.

Legitimacy of Incest

Diogenes argued based on animal behavior.

Cannibalism

Diogenes justified it as natural behavior.

Robbing Temples

Cynics believed property should be communal.

Philosophy of Happiness

Cynics defined true happiness as life's goal.

Superstition

Epicurus rescued humanity from this belief.

Political Engagement

Epicurus viewed politics as base and offensive.

Epicurean Legacy

Philosophy diminished by Stoicism and Christianity.

Community of Wives and Children

Diogenes preached for communal living.

Natural Living

Cynics advocated for a life free of conventions.

Social Conventions

Cynics rejected societal norms as unnatural.

Cynicism

Philosophy criticizing societal norms and values.

Diogenes

Cynic philosopher known for provocative actions.

Defacement of money

Challenge to authority by altering currency.

Agora

Public space in ancient Greece for gatherings.

Honest man

Diogenes' quest symbolized by a lit lamp.

Plato's description

Described Diogenes as 'Socrates gone mad'.

Featherless bipeds

Socrates' definition of humans, mocked by Diogenes.

Alexander the Great

Impressed by Diogenes' indifference to power.

Diogenes Syndrome

Self-neglect and hoarding in elderly individuals.

Stoicism

Philosophy promoting reason and virtue as central.

Zeno of Citium

Founder of Stoicism, emphasized rational living.

Stoa Poikile

Location where Zeno taught Stoicism.

Mental discipline

Key Stoic principle for achieving virtue.

Pneuma

Stoic concept of the soul as a physical substance.

Body-body dualism

Stoic view rejecting mind-body dualism.

Universal soul

Stoic belief in interconnectedness of all souls.

Pantheism

Zeno's belief that God and universe are identical.

Divine plan

Stoic view of the universe governed by order.

Good life

Acceptance of fate with indifference, as per Stoics.

Cynicism's decline

Faded after 200 BCE due to hypocrisy.

Classical hippie movement

Cynicism's influence on elite youth in Rome.

Romanticism

Movement influenced by cynicism's back-to-nature ideas.

Squalor

Living in filthy conditions, associated with Diogenes.

Good Life

Accept fate with indifference; be stoic.

Material Possessions

Valued less; can be taken away.

Soft Determinism

Humans can defy fate; have agency.

Virtue

Acting in accordance with the divine plan.

Divine Artisan-Fire

Element responsible for all matter and existence.

Marcus Aurelius

Stoic philosopher; authored Meditations.

Spiritual Exercises

Practices for humility, patience, and empathy.

Timeless Observations

Key insights from Marcus Aurelius's philosophy.

Neoplatonism

Revival of Plato's philosophy in Roman Empire.

First Principle

The 'one' from which everything derives.

Metaphysical Hierarchies

Cosmos exists through hierarchy, not creation.

Supremacy of the One

The 'one' is indivisible and transcendent.

Human Happiness

Achieved through reason, independent of material.

Plotinus

Founder of Neoplatonism; taught in Rome.

Material Properties

Matter has no real properties outside existence.

Civic Engagement

Stoicism appealed to order and community involvement.

Epicureanism

Philosophy replaced by Stoicism in popularity.

Galen

Physician from Pergamon; studied medicine widely.

Asclepius

God of medicine; influenced Galen's training.

Gladiators' Physician

Galen served as a physician to gladiators.

Alexandria Education

Galen likely educated in Alexandria, Egypt.

Mystical Emphasis

Neoplatonism prioritized the mystical over the material.

Reason Application

Key to happiness in Neoplatonism.

Galen

Ancient physician known for anatomical studies.

Venesection

Bloodletting technique practiced by Galen.

Four Temperaments

Galen's classification of human personality types.

Antonine Plague

Epidemic during Galen's time, possibly measles.

Eastern Mystery Cults

Religious groups emphasizing secret rites and rebirth.

Salvation Rite

Exclusive ritual for members of a cult.

Spiritual Rebirth

Theme of renewal in Eastern Mystery Cults.

Gender-Specific Cults

Cults focused on specific genders.