Source edition
Epicurus. Epistula Prima ad Herodotum. Epicuri epistulae tres et ratae sententiae a Laertio Diogene Servatae. von der Mühll, Peter, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1922.
Source data
Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a systematic yet concise letter written by the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus to his friend Herodotus, outlining the fundamental doctrines of his physics (natural philosophy). Its primary objective is to help readers attain peace of mind (ataraxia) by understanding the true nature of the universe and dispelling fears of death and the supernatural. Epicurus begins by establishing the reliability of sensory perception as the basis of knowledge, followed by the core principles that the universe consists solely of "atoms" and "void," and that nothing comes from nothing. He then explains the motion and properties of atoms, the mechanism of sensation through the emission of "images" (eidola), and the material, mortal nature of the soul. Finally, the letter addresses celestial phenomena, asserting they operate by natural necessity rather than divine will, and concludes by emphasizing that the ultimate goal of studying nature is to achieve tranquility free from superstitious fears.