Epicurus and the Apollo epikourios

• Autor(a) principal: Fernandes , Edrisi de Araújo
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Trilhas Filosóficas (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.apps.uern.br/index.php/RTF/article/view/5023
• topic: Asclépio; Apolo; Epicuro; Epicurismo; Pitágoras; Asclepius; Apollo; Epicurus; Epicureanism; Pythagoras

We try to undertake here various approximations between the figure of the philosopher Epicurus and that of the god “Apollo Auxiliator” (Apollon Epikourios). Approaches between the philosopher and the god are considered taking into account (1) the relationship of the “eudaimonic theology of Epicurus” (according to Boris Chamani's expression) with aspects linked to healing deities, (2) the possible identification of disciples of Epicurus with hetaírai who made offerings (anethēken) to healing deities such as Asclepius (son of Apollo) and Amphiaraus, (3) Epicurus' relationship with Pythagoras, another philosopher with Apollonian ties. After these approximations, an attempt is made to evaluate the etymology and some traditions of the worship of the god in ancient times. The Epicurean theory that the name of a thing or person has something natural allows one to speculate about the possible favorable repercussions that the philosopher and his disciples would have drawn from the fact that the master of the Garden associated himself with the god by name; other connections took place through common holidays or, indirectly, in imagery (as suggested by Bernard Frischer). These associations contributed to the consolidation of the image of Epicurus as a “helper” in healing and human improvement.