Portrait of Epikouros (Front)

The older, bearded man depicted in this portrait is the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341–270 B.C.). Epicurus is best known for arguing that pleasure—defined as a sense of emotional tranquility and the absence of pain—was the greatest good. He had many followers among upper class Romans, and images of him were displayed in the home to serve as inspiration. This portrait head came from a statuette that was probably kept in the residence of a wealthy Roman interested in Epicurean philosophy.