Philodemus

• a famous Epicurean philosopher in the time of Cicero, the author of a work περὶ μουσικῆς, and of several epigrams, Cic. Fin. 2, 35, 119; cf. id. Pis. 29, 68, and Ascon. ad loc.

(Φιλόδημος), an Argive, was sent by Hieronymus, king of Syracuse, to Hannibal in B. C. 215, to propose an alliance. In B. C. 212, when Marcellus was besieging Syracuse, we find Philodemus governor of the fort of Euryalus, on the top of Epipolae, and this he surrendered to the Romans on condition that he and his garrison should be allowed to depart uninjured to join Epicydes in Achradina. (Plb. 7.7; Liv. 24.6, 25.25.) [E.E]

(Φιλόδημος),of Gadara, in Palestine, an Epicurean philosopher and epigrammatic poet, contemporary with Cicero, who makes a violent attack upon him, though without mentioning his name, as the abettor of Piso in all his profligacy (Cic. in Pis. 28, 29), though in another place he speaks of him in the following high terms :--Sironem et Philodemum cum optimos viros, tum doctissimos homines (De Fin. 2.35); and indeed, in the former passage, while attacking his character, he praises his poetical skill and elegance, his knowledge of philosophy, and his general information, in the highest terms. From the language of Cicero, it may be inferred that Philodemus was one of the most distinguished Epicurean philosophers of his time, and that he lived on terms of intimacy with men of the highest rank in Rome. He is also mentioned by Diogenes Laertius (10.3), by Strabo (xvi. p.759), and by Horace (Sat. 1.2. 121). Works Epigrams

His epigrams were included in the Anthology of Philip of Thessalonica, and he seems to have been the earliest poet who had a place in that collection. The Greek Anthology contains thirty-four of them, which are chiefly of a light and amatory character, and which quite bear out Cicero's statements concerning the licentiousness of his matter and the elegance of his manner. Prose writing

Of his prose writings Diogenes (l.c.) quotes from the tenth book τῆς τῶν φιλοσόφων συντάξεως, and a MS. has been discovered at Herculaneum containing a work by him on music, περὶ μουσικῆς. Further Information

Menag. ad Diog. Läcrt. l.c. ; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. iii. p. 609, iv. p. 491; Brunck, Anal. vol. ii. p. 83; Jacobs, Anth. Graec. vol. ii. p. 70, xiii. p. 937; Orelli, Onom. Tullian. s. v. [P.S]

(Φιλόδημος). A native of Gadara, in Palestine, an Epicurean philosopher and epigrammatic poet, contemporary with Cicero. The Greek Anthology contains thirty-four of his Epigrams, which are chiefly of a light and amatory character, and which quite bear out Cicero's statements concerning the licentiousness of his matter and the elegance of his manner ( In Pis. 28, 29). Considerable remains of Philodemus have come to light at Herculaneum, and are edited by Sudhaus.

• Apollod. E.7.25