The Epicurean successor who argued that gods must talk to find true happiness

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hermarchus, the chosen heir to Epicurus, left behind no surviving books, yet his influence on ancient thought remains profound. From his views on the rational origins of law to his insistence that divine beings must engage in conversation to achieve happiness, he remains a fascinating, if elusive, philosophical figure.

Born in Mytilene to a poor father named Agemarchus, Hermarchus began his career as a rhetorician before becoming a devoted disciple of Epicurus. Upon the death of his master, he was appointed head of the Epicurean school around 270 BC. His leadership was so trusted that Epicurus bequeathed his entire library to him, with specific instructions to support the children of Metrodorus if necessary. He eventually passed away at an advanced age in the home of Lysias, leaving behind a reputation as a significant philosopher.

Though his works are lost, we know he wrote extensively against Plato, Aristotle, and Empedocles. A substantial fragment preserved by Porphyry offers a glimpse into his political theory. Hermarchus argued that early law-makers established prohibitions against murder because they recognized it was detrimental to society. He believed that while rational individuals would naturally avoid such acts, laws and punishments were necessary tools to manage those who could not be educated by reason alone. For him, this development represented a clear marker of social progress.

His theological views, recorded by Philodemus, are equally distinctive. Hermarchus posited that the gods must breathe, as they are living beings, and that they must engage in speech. He reasoned that because conversation is a source of immense pleasure for the good, a god who could not speak would be less fortunate than a human. To suggest otherwise, he argued, would be to imply that the gods are somehow maimed or incomplete. This logic highlights his commitment to a philosophy that prioritized rational, human-like happiness even in the divine realm.

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