person
Democritus
also: Democritus of Abdera
Greek atomist philosopher of Abdera (c. 460–c. 370 BC), founder with Leucippus of the atomic theory Lucretius inherits through Epicurus. Lucretius reveres his "holy judgment" yet corrects his account of how soul- and body-atoms are arranged.
Reading notes
- On the Nature of Things §5.36 Democritus
The Greek atomist (c. 460–370 BC) on whose physics Epicurus built; Lucretius cites with respect his view that nearer stars are carried more slowly by the heavens.