Amafinius

Amafinius was a Roman writer of the 2nd century BCE who is considered one of the earliest Latin prose writers to popularize philosophy. He is known primarily through the criticisms of Cicero, who portrays Amafinius as lacking stylistic refinement and philosophical rigor.

While none of Amafinius' works survive directly, Cicero's accounts suggest that he wrote in Latin on Epicurean philosophy, making it accessible to a wider Roman audience. Prior to Amafinius, philosophical discourse in Rome was largely conducted in Greek. Amafinius' use of Latin helped to disseminate Epicurean ideas, even if Cicero deemed his style unsophisticated.

Cicero criticized Amafinius for his perceived lack of eloquence and his failure to fully grasp the nuances of Epicurean doctrine. Despite Cicero's negative portrayal, Amafinius' contribution to the development of Latin philosophical literature is significant as he played a key role in translating complex Greek ideas into a more accessible Roman context. His work, though criticized for its style, facilitated the initial spread of Epicureanism among the Roman population. The exact extent of his influence is difficult to ascertain due to the fragmentary nature of evidence, but he remains an important figure in the early history of Roman philosophy.