Epicurus,Hellenistic Greekphilosopher (born Samos, 341 BC; died Athens, 270 BC). Epicurus was born into an Athenian émigré family - his parents, both Athenian citizens, had moved to an Athenian settlement on the Aegean island of Samos. He returned to Athens to serve as an ephebe - a young citizen in military training. The playwright Menander served in the same age-class of the ephebes as Epicurus.
After pursuing philosophical education in several Greek cities he taught in two cities in Asia Minor. In about 306 BC he bought a house and garden in Athens.
