Epicurus (341–270 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher and sage who turned against the Platonism of his day and founded Epicureanism, a highly influential school of philosophy. Epicurus asserted that philosophy's purpose is to attain as well as to help others attain happy tranquil lives. The vast majority of the over 300 works said to have been written by Epicurus have ben destroyed. Only three letters written by him—the letters to Menoeceus, Pythocles, and Herodotus—and two collections of quotes, have survived intact. Most knowledge about his philosophy is due to later authors. More