c. 460-c. 370 B.C.

Greek Philosopher

Democritus embraced the atomism of Leucippus and worked out its detailed application. His atomic theory was the basis for Epicurean philosophy and all later ancient materialistic schools of thought.

Democritus was born at Abdera, in Thrace, although the exact date is unknown. One chronology maintains he was born soon after 500 B.C. and died about 404 B.C., while another places his birth around 460 B.C. Tradition has it that he lived to great age; so, if the latter chronology is correct, he lived well into the fourth century B.C. In Little World-system he described himself as a young man when Anaxagoras (c. 500-c. 428 B.C.) was old. This lends support to the latter chronology, which is widely accepted by modern scholars.

Confucius. (Bettmann/Corbis. Reproduced with permission.)

Apparently wealthy, Democritus traveled to Egypt, Chaldea, and the Red Sea. His literary efforts...