Epicureans and Roman Stoics interpreted pleasure (?????) differently from
each other: for the Epicureans, pleasure was the ultimate good, while most
Stoics perceived pleasure as something indifferent. This difference in
understanding of pleasure is the crucial point of a disagreement between
these two Hellenistic schools of philosophy, in particular if we consider
their ethics. This paper examines this difference and highlights the
significant similarities between the Roman Stoic and the Epicurean
positions. Further, it briefly explores the Epicurean and the Roman Stoic
understanding of social relations and philosophers? role in politics and
society.