person
Lucius Thorius Balbus
Thorius
also: Thorius, Thorius Balbus, Lucius Thorius Balbus, Thorio
A wealthy Roman of Lanuvium whom Cicero presents in De Finibus 2 as the model of a refined Epicurean voluptuary: a connoisseur of every pleasure, free of superstition, yet killed in battle for the state. Cicero uses him as the test case for whether the pleasure-seeker can be called happy.
Reading notes
- On the Ends of Good and Evil §2.63 Lucius Thorius Balbus of Lanuvium
A wealthy man of Lanuvium who lived for refined pleasures, free of superstition, yet died fighting for the state. Cicero makes him the test case for whether the consistent voluptuary deserves to be called happy.