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Letter to Idomeneus
On this blissful day, which is also the last
of my life, I write this to you. My continual
sufferings from strangury and dysentery are
so great that nothing could increase them;
but I set above them all the gladness of
mind at the memory of our past conversations.
But I would have you, as becomes your lifelong
attitude to me and to philosophy, watch over
the children of Metrodorus.
Last Will of Epicurus Epicurus's will sets
up a trust to support his school (an association
which later became famous as "the Garden,"
named after one of the properties mentioned
in this will), as well as his family and
the children of prominent members of the
school:
In this manner I give and bequeath all my
property to Amynomachus, son of Philocrates
of Bate and Timocrates, son of Demetrius
of Potamus, to each severally according to
the items of the deed of gift registered
in the Metroon, on condition that they shall
place the garden and all that pertains to
it at the disposal of Hermarchus, son of
Agemortus, of Mitylene, and the members of
his society, and those whom Hermarchus may
leave as his successors, to live and study
in. And I entrust to my School in perpetuity
the task of aiding Amynomachus and Timocrates
and their heirs to preserve to the best of
their power the common life in the garden
in whatever way is best, and that these may
help to maintain the garden in the same way
as those to whom our successors in the School
may bequeath it. And let Amynomachus and
Timocrates permit Hermarchus and his associates
to live in the house in Melite for the lifetime
of Hermarchus.
And from the revenues made over by me to
Amynomachus and Timocrates let them to the
best of their power in consultation with
Hermarchus make separate provision for the
funeral offerings to my father, mother, and
brothers, and for the customary celebration
of my birthday on the tenth day of Gamelion
in each year, and for the meeting of all
my School held every month on the twentieth
day to commemorate Metrodorus and myself
according to the rules now in force. Let
them also join in celebrating the day in
Poseideon which commemorates my brothers,
and likewise the day in Metageitnion which
commemorates Polyaenus, as I have done previously.
And let Amynomachus and Timocrates take care
of Epicurus, the son of Metrodorus, and of
the son of Polyaenus, so long as they study
and live with Hermarchus. Let them likewise
provide for he maintenance of Metrodorus's
daughters so long as she is well-ordered
and obedient to Hermarchus; and, when she
comes of age, give her in marriage to a husband
selected by Hermarchus from among the members
of the School; and out of the revenues accruing
to me let Amynomachus and Timocrates in consultation
with Hermarchus give to them as much as they
think proper for their maintenance year by
year.
Let them make Hermarchus trustee of the funds
along with themselves, in order that everything
may be done in concert with him, who has
grown old with me in philosophy and is left
at the head of the School. And when the girl
comes of age, let Amynomachus and Timocrates
pay her dowry, taking from the property as
much as circumstances allow, subject to the
approval of Hermarchus. Let them provide
for Nicanor as I have done previously, so
that none of those members of the school
who have rendered service to me in private
life and have shown me kindness in every
way and have chosen to grow old with me in
the School should, so far as my means go,
lack the necessaries of life.
All my books to be given to Hermarchus.
And if anything should happen to Hermarchus
before the children of Metrodorus grow up,
Amynomachus and Timocrates shall give from
the funds bequeathed by me, so far as possible,
enough for their several needs, as long as
they are well ordered. And let them provide
for the rest according to my arrangements;
that everything may be carried out, so far
as it lies in their power. Of my slaves I
manumit Mys, Nicias, Lycon, and I also give
Phaedrium her liberty.
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Evans Experientialism 
