Amafinius

Gaius Amafinius (or Amafanius) was one of the earliest Roman writers in favour of the Epicurean philosophy. He probably lived in the late 2nd and early 1st century BC. He wrote several works, which are censured by Cicero as deficient in arrangement and style. He is mentioned by no other ancient writer but Cicero. In the *Academica*, Cicero reveals that Amafinius translated the Greek concept of atoms as *corpusculi* ('corpuscles') in Latin. In his *Tusculan Disputations*, Cicero disapprovingly notes that Amafanius was one of the first philosophers writing in Latin at Rome, stating that his writings moved the populace to join the Epicurean sect due to the doctrine's perceived ease of understanding and pleasing thoughts. In his *Academica*, Cicero criticizes Amafinius and his fellow Epicurean Rabirius for their unsophisticated prose style, and says that in their efforts to introduce philosophy to common people they end up saying nothing, concluding indignantly that 'they think there is no art of speechmaking or composition.' Michel de Montaigne alludes to these passages in his *Essais*, book 2, chapter 17, *De la presumption* ('On Presumption.')