Introduction
One of the most crucial parts of human history was during the period the Roman Republic transitioned to the Roman Empire. There were considerable changes in philosophical thought, societal norms, and political structures. Epicureanism and Stoicism emerged as the two prominent schools of philosophy in the era. They were influential factors in shaping the actions and perspectives of people in Roman society. This comparative analysis examines the core tenets of Stoicism and Epicureanism to determine if they were relevant in the transition era and why Stoicism gained popularity in the coming days of the empire.
Epicureanism
Epicureanism is credited to Epicurus, and it has placed emphasis on people pursuing happiness since its founding in the 4th century BCE. An additional element is how it also emphasized on avoiding pain as one of the highest life goals. The primary component of the Epicurean philosophy is the belief that tranquility of mind and absence of pain (pleasure) is the main goal of life (Leonard). Epicurus, however, taught that there are several types of pleasures. The philosopher explained that true pleasure or happiness can be sourced from pursuing intellectual pleasures and living life in moderation instead of seeking temporary sensual gratifications.
There are pleasures that can be sourced from satisfying oneself immediately, such as drinking and eating. Epicurus cautioned people against these types of pleasures since they can lead to dissatisfaction and pain in the long term should someone become overindulged. He also taught about the pleasures sourced from a contented mind and living a tranquil life. Such pleasures come from pain, absence, and lack of disturbance in one’s life. It is achieved through intellectual pursuits, self-sufficiency, and moderation of one’s lifestyle.
Should someone cultivate contentment and a sense of inner peace, people experience lasting happiness as per Epicurean philosophy (Leonard). Epicureanism is also essential to individuals since it highlights why friendship is crucial. Developing the characters mentioned in the previous paragraphs makes it easy to associate with others freely and amicably. There is also a rejection of fearing death within the philosophy since the end of life is viewed as ceasing to be conscious and not as a tragic occurrence.
Stoicism
Stoicism advocates for virtue as the sole purpose, and it teaches that a wise person can use self-discipline and reason to ensure moral excellence. Zeno founded it around the 3rd century BCE and would go on to gain prominence even in the modern day. The Stoic philosophy relies on living in tandem with nature (Reydams-Schils, pg. 41). This means that one has to be aligned with virtue and reason, and this is only done after accepting that there is a natural order of events in the universe.
On the other hand, stoicism also teaches people about enduring difficulties in their lives by developing better resilience. Everyone faces many challenges, and it is up to an individual to navigate these problems well and not let them affect one’s daily activities. Those who ascribe to this school of thought also believe that one should pursue individual wisdom, cultivate a sense of duty to those around them, and self-examine themselves to live better. Additionally, Stoicism espouses virtue as essential in happiness and implies that external circumstances do not have a direct influence on a person’s character.
Relevance in the Transition Period
As the transition from a Republic to an Empire occurred, Rome underwent many changes. It experienced existential uncertainty, social unrest, and political upheaval (Sayre, pg. 153). During the trying times, Epicureanism and Stoicism came in handy as a philosophical school of thought that prompted people to act in various ways. The two offered frameworks that guided individuals on how to navigate the complications they faced and find fulfillment, happiness, and meaning in their lives.
Epicureanism focused on avoiding pain and personal happiness. It appealed to people who were running away from the societal upheaval and political strife that was commonplace at the time. The philosophy emphasized moderation, mind tranquility, and simplicity, which all provided solace to people affected by the instability of the transition. Epicurean tenets discouraged people from fearing death and rejected that divine beings could intervene to help (Leonard). People who struggled with anxieties in the uncertain era were motivated by this philosophy. Stoicism was popular in the same period since it highlighted one’s duty to the state, moral fortitude, and inner resilience. This philosophy resonated with the ethos of being a Roman citizen since it emphasized the Roman values of honor, duty, and courage (Thorsteinsson, pg. 154-157). People could understand that there were aspects beyond their control.
Stoicism became popular in the Empire for several reasons, as seen below. First was the uncertainty of the time, which needed social order and political stability offered by philosophy. Stoicism exemplified equity, common good, and justice as the ethical frameworks for maintaining law and order (Reydams-Schils, pg. 49). There was an emphasis on wisdom pursuit, self-control, and rationality towards the elite who needed to govern with wisdom and prudence. The ruling class also endorsed Stoicism; hence, this amplified its popularity among the populace. The philosophy’s tenets were incorporated into state propaganda to reinforce why emperors were virtuous and wise leaders. The philosophy teachings were used by a leader such as Marcus Aurelius’ to govern his governance decisions and ways of life (Long).
Stoicism emphasized moral virtue, self-discipline, and reason. Hence, it was widely accepted. It could be used in the empire’s many social levels and cultural contexts. Other schools of thought were associated with the elite, while Stoicism was believed to cater to people from all backgrounds since it offered practical guidance towards living a meaningful life (Thorsteinsson, pg. 144). The philosophy emphasized ethical conduct and personal responsibility as people sought guidance on addressing their everyday challenges.
Conclusion
The transition from Republic to Empire saw a rise in Stoicism and Epicureanism as the two influential philosophical schools of thought. They shaped the behaviors and beliefs of people within Roman society in varying ways, as elucidated within the exposition above. Stoicism provided ethical and practical guidelines for Roman citizens to follow, while Epicureanism offered tranquility and solace within the uncertainties associated with the era.
Works Cited
Leonard, William. On the Nature of Things. Courier Corporation, 2012.
Long, George. The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. BoD–Books on Demand, 2023.
Reydams-Schils, Gretchen. “Philosophy and education in Stoicism of the Roman Imperial era.” Ideas of Education. Routledge, 2013. 38-51.
Sayre, Henry M. “Golden Age Athens and Hellenistic World: The Schools of Hellas” The Humanities: Culture, Continuity & Change, vol. 1, Boston, Massachusetts, 2018, pp. 147–188.
Thorsteinsson, Runar M. “Paul and Roman Stoicism: Romans 12 and Contemporary Stoic Ethics.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 29.2 (2006): 139-161.
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