Notes from Athens

This chapter examines the discovery of the Roman villa at Herculaneum, now known as the Villa dei Papiri, which contained a vast library of carbonized book rolls. Likely belonging to Lucius Calpurnius Piso, son-in-law of Julius Caesar, the villa's library held philosophical works, especially those of the Epicurean Philodemus. The chapter reveals Philodemus's dedication to Epicurean philosophy and his efforts to transplant its teachings to Italy, possibly due to a crisis in the Epicurean Garden in Athens. The chapter discusses Philodemus's work On Frank Criticism as part of his broader ethical inquiries and his admiration for his teacher Zeno. It sheds light on ancient philosophical education and the transmission of philosophical ideas in antiquity.