Marius the Epicurean (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Walter Pater
- First Published: 1885
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Philosophical
- Time of Work: Second century
- Setting: The Roman Empire
- Genres: Long fiction, Philosophical realism
- Subjects: Philosophy or philosophers, Friendship, Christianity, Ethics, Soldiers, Greek or Roman times, Students or student life, Rome, Second century
- Locales: Roman Empire, Rome, ancient, Pisa, Italy
Characters Discussed
Marius, a young Roman of intellectual power living in the reign of Marcus Aurelius. As a young man, influenced by life on a country estate, he becomes an idealist of strong convictions, but his mother’s death turns him into a skeptic. From skepticism he later turns to Oriental mysticism and the early Greek philosophers. After reading the writings of Aristippus of Cyrene, he becomes an epicurean, seeking sensory experiences that will lead him to wisdom and an appreciation of the universe. He is finally converted to Christianity before his death.
...[The entire page is 500 words long]
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