person
Theodorus of Cyrene (the Atheist)
Theodorus
also: Theodorus Cyrenaicus, Theodorus the Atheist
A Cyrenaic philosopher of the late fourth century BC, surnamed 'the Atheist' for denying that the gods exist. Cicero couples him with Diagoras of Melos as the type of the outright god-denier.
Reading notes
- Tusculan Disputations §1.102 Do we not marvel at Theodorus of Cyrene
Theodorus 'the Atheist' of Cyrene, who, threatened with crucifixion by King Lysimachus, retorted that it made no difference to him whether he rotted on the ground or in the air. A philosopher's contempt for the disposal of the corpse.
- Tusculan Disputations §5.118 Theodorus, when Lysimachus threatened him with death
Theodorus "the Atheist" of Cyrene, who scorned the death-threat of King Lysimachus of Thrace, retorting that the king had matched only the power of a blister-beetle (cantharis, a poisonous insect). Death holds no terror for the wise man.