2. The textual reading (but with initial X) in the Masoretic Bible, and the marginal in the A. V. for Epiiraim ((j. v.), a city within tlie borders of the king- dom of Israel (2 Chron. xiii, 19).
3. A mountain, the "cities" of which formed one of tlie landmarks on the northern boundary of the tribe of Judah (Josh, xv, 9), between the "water of Nephtoah" and Kirjath-jearim. As these latter are with great probability identified with Ain Yalo and Kuriet el-enab, Mount Ephron is probabl.y the elevated region on the south side of wad}' Beit-Hanina (tradi- tional valley of the Terebinth), near its junction with wady Ain-Hanij'eh or wady el-Werd. This seems to be the " high plain" indicated by Schwarz (Palest, p. 9G) as appropriately called Mount Ephron, in compar- ison with the deep vallej's adjoining. The "cities of Mount Ephron" may then be denoted by such ruined sites as el-Sus and Mar-Zakaria in this vicinity.
4. A very strong city (jroXig inyaXt] oyi'pa (T(puSpa') on the east of Jordan, between Carnaim (Ashteroth- Karnaim) and Bethshean, attacked and demolished by Judas MaccaboBus (1 Mace, v, 46-52 ; 2 Mace, xii, 27, 28; Josephus, Ant. xii, 8, 5). From the description in these two passages it appears to have been situated in a defile or valley, and to have completely occupied the pass. It was possibly near the outlet of the Jab- bok into the Jordan. Klodens conjectures (Landes- kiaide von Paldstina, Berl. 1817, p. 75) that it was the present Kulat er-Rubud, a strong Saracenic castle on the top of a hill up the wady Rajib, and the residence of the cliief of Jebel Ajlun (Bunkhardt, Syria, p. 266 sq. ; Robinson, Researches, ii, 121 ; iii, 1G6).
Epicrates ('EynKpciTii^, controller, a common Gr. name), one of the generals left by Antiochus Grj'pus, in connection with Callimander, in charge of the Syr- ian forces besieging Hyrcanus in Samaria, but whose cupidity led him to betray Scythopolis into the hands of the Jews (Josephus, Ant. xiii, 10, 2, 3).
Epicurean Philosophy — Epicurus. The Epicurean philosophy received its name and its com- plete development from its founder Epicurus. Little was added to the system by its disciples. It was a reaction against the Socratic School, and constituted one of the most marked forms of speculation during the period of Greek decline. It exercised considera- ble influence over the Latin world in the decay of the Roman republic, and during the first two centuries of III.— R
the empire. "With important changes of form, but with little modifications of spirit, it survived the over- throw of ancient civilization, perpetuated itself through- out the Middle Ages, reappeared with the revival of philosophy, and may still be recognised in many re- cent theories.
The Epicurean philosophy, which has survived so many successions of empire, and so vast mutations of thought, is intimately connected witli the earlier speculations of the Greeks. Its ethical views arc di- rectly deducible from the Cj'renaic School ; but its de- pendence on the Eleatics is unmistakable. See Ele- ATic School. In physics it displaj-ed an inclination to return to the Ionic method. It is, however, in im- mediate affiliation with the doctrines of Democritus and Leucippus. From them it derived its atoms, and the casual fonnation of the universe.
Notwithstanding its connections with previous modes of thought, the Epicurean philosophy is so definite in principle and form that it maj' be more readily treated without regard to its descent than almost any other type of speculation, ancient or modern.
The Epicurean philosophy was fullj^ developed by its founder, and was long contained almost entirely in his numerous productiuns. These perished early. Fragments only have been preserved in the philosoph- ical treatises of Cicero, the moral lectures of Seneca, and the late compilation of Diogenes Laertius. Epicu- rus's physical theory of the universe, which formed the basis of his theological and ethical conclusions, is trans- mitted to us in its integrity in the abstruse but bril- liant poem of Lucretius. In consequence of the rever- ence of the disciples for the instructions of the master., and their abstinence from development of his teach- ings, Epicurus occupies a more prominent position in the exposition of his doctrine than any other Greek philosopher except P3'thagoras. It is, accordingly, expedient to consider the circumstances of his life and the peculiarities of his character before entering upon the details of his system.
Life of Epicurus. — Epicurus was of pure Athenian descent ; of a good family, though reduced to poverty ; and settled in Samos, where his fcither Neocles was a cleruchns, and eked out a scant}- support by the occu- pation of a school-master. His mother, Charestrata, added to the resources of a poor household by practis- ing enchantments and by other superstitious pretences, in which she was aided by her son, who may thus have acquired an early contempt for the current theology and superstition. Epicurus was born at Samos, A.C. 342-1, seven j'ears after the death of Plato, and within a year of Aristotle's acceptance of the oflSce of tutor to Alexander the Great. About the time of Alexander's death, Epicurus came to Athens, at the age of 18, where he is supposed to have attended the instructions of Xenocrates in the academy. Aristotle was still teach- ing in the lyceum. Epicurus made no long stay at this time in the metropolis, but removed to Colophon and opened a school. He adopted the atomistic doc- trine of Democritus, and during five }'^ears undertook to teach philosophy at Mitylene and Lampsaeus. At the age of 35 he returned to Athens, taught philosoph}' there for a period of 36 years till his death, and be- came the founder of a sect, having at first been content with declaring himself a follower of Democritus. The groves of the academy were frequented b.y the Plato- nists under Xenocrates; "the shady spaces" around the lyceum were occupied by the Peripatetics under Theophrastus, who possessed a house and garden of his own within the precincts, which were bequeathed to his successors. Epicurus imitated the Peripatetic example, and purchased a garden in the heart of the city for 80 mina; (about $1-100 in gold). This abode, the celebrated horti Epicuri, became the place of in- struction and of convivial assemblage, and gave name to the school, "the philosophy of the Garden." The life of Epicurus was " simple, temperate, and cheer-