Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Notes on the Texts and Translations vii

List of Abbreviations viii

Introduction 1

1 The Genealogy of Justice and Laws in Epicureanism 15

2 The City, the Natural Good and the Epicurean

Promise of Security 33

3 Preconception, Justice and Usefulness in the

Epicurean Contractual Political Model 59

4 Cicero, Plutarch and Lactantius as Readers of Epicureanism 79

5 The Epicurean Sage, the Issue of Justice and the Laws 105

6 The Greek Poleis, Rome and Its Illustrious Epicurean Citizens 131

7 Conclusions. Friendship, Law and Justice: The Epicureans

and their Interest in Interpersonal Relations 159

Notes 167

References 207

General Index 225

Index Locorum 233