Looking at the Greek scenario that established the Hellenism and the evolution of the thought of each school (Stoic, Epicurean and Pyrrhonian), there has been a certain decline in the last centuries of the pagan era, but at the beginning of the era Christian we see their ascension: they have adopted a more spiritual and pragmatic character, worrying about the problems of the soul, categorically elevating the importance of the ethic. However, each school conducted this influence in an opposite way, given their own original differences in thought. From the existing schools, the importance of the dialogue between the Stoics and the Epicureans stood out.
O Roman Epicureanism it was implemented, in fact, after the dissemination of Lucretius' philosophical poem, which sang the physics of Epicurus, revealing the pessimism of nature in which the good man has great difficulty in surviving, but that by his own ability and the wisdom of the master Epicurus (without the interference of any divine being) he would be able to live, above all, peaceful and happy. As a result of the canons established by Epicurus, the new Epicureanism was founded basically on the basis of the maxims instituted by the founder, as they believed that, by the wisdom found in them, anyone could cure the passions from the soul. Thus, Roman Epicureanism did not change the doctrinal bases established by Epicurus, but fortified them masterfully. We realized this in the
Portico erected by Diogenes of Enoanda, where the whole Epicurean doctrine was written on the walls, since it was believed to be the only one capable of giving men the desired happiness.Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
already the roman stoicism had some changes compared to Greek, given the influence of some thoughts such as eclecticism it's theChristianity. However, the main foundations of their theories were maintained, albeit with a broad moral and educational charge, that is, stoicism Roman was willing to show individuals that it is extremely important to determine moral conduct, always seeking what is for us. a good and abhorring everything that goes beyond usefulness, since all good and evil are found in those things that are in our power. Thus, what is in our power (the thought, the just desire, the just aversion, etc.) and must be well received and always welcomed, and what is given outwardly (luxury, glory, titles, etc.) should not be chosen, as representatives of Roman Stoicism are the emperor Marcus Aurelius, the senator Seneca and the slave Epictetus.
Therefore, broadly speaking, the schools that developed during the Roman Empire were Stoicism and the Epicureanism, renewing Hellenistic thought and syncretizing with new ways of thinking, typical of the period of empire.
By João Francisco P. Cabral
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Philosophy from the Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU
Master's student in Philosophy at the State University of Campinas - UNICAMP
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
CABRAL, João Francisco Pereira. "The passage from Greek Hellenism to Roman Hellenism"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/filosofia/a-passagem-helenismo-grego-ao-helenismo-romano.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
