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Theodorus the Atheist: Biography, Achievements & Lasting Legacy

Theodorus "the Atheist" (Ancient Greek: Θεόδωρος ὁ ἄθεος, romanized: Theódōros ho átheos; c. 340 – c. 250 BCE), of Cyrene, was a Greek philosopher of the Cyrenaic school. He lived in both Greece and Alexandria, before ending his days in his native city of Cyrene. As a Cyrenaic philosopher, he taught that the goal of life was to obtain joy and avoid grief, and that the former resulted from knowledge, and the latter from ignorance. However, his principal claim to fame was his alleged atheism. He was usually designated by ancient writers ho atheos (ὁ ἄθεος), "the atheist."

Key Facts

Legacy and Impact

The influence of Theodorus the Atheist extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped human thought and intellectual discourse, and his ideas and philosophical frameworks remain foundational to this day.

Though he passed away in 250, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.

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