THESIS STATEMENTIn Hellenistic Greece, Epicureanism and Stoicism were two influential philosophies encouraging a life of happiness; These philosophies were similar in their belief in the afterlife, but differed in their beliefs about the gods and their approach to achieving happiness in life. PURPOSE STATEMENT Through research and analysis, it is shown that both Epicureanism and Stoicism described the general idea of ​​a contented life. , but their beliefs had more differences than similarities.INTRODUCTIONThe Hellenistic period brought a refreshing new beginning to Greece. Ancient Greece and its inward-looking culture evolved into Hellenistic Greece, which infused its culture into countries and empires outside of Greece's borders. With this growing influence, new forms of art, inventions, and religion emerged amidst cultural growth. An innovative aspect within Hellenistic Greece was philosophy and its new schools. At the time, two of the most popular philosophies, Epicureanism and Stoicism, competed. Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus, and Stoicism, founded by Zeno of Citium, gave the Greeks an attempt to give meaning to their lives. Although the two philosophies competed, they had similarities as well as differences. As Hicks succinctly describes, “both schools sought by circuitous routes the same objective” (v). Epicureanism and Stoicism conceived of the universe in different ways, which ultimately led to more differences than similarities between the two philosophies. However, the two schools coincided in their visions of the purpose of life: achieving lifelong happiness. Epicureanism and Stoicism had similarities and differences in the way they viewed the world, which resulted in...... middle of article...... The Epicureans and Stoics] proposed a conception of the world and of human nature which was based on empirical observations, reason and the recognition that all men have common needs” (6). Although the two views conflict in various ways, they have both provided man with a means of living and caring for himself.WORKS CITEDBrennan, Tad. The Stoic life: emotions, duties and destiny. Oxford: Clarendon, 2005. Print. Hicks, Robert Drew. Stoic and Epicurean. New York: Russell & Russell, 1962. Print.Long, AA Hellenistic Philosophy; Stoics, Epicureans, Skeptics. New York: Scribner, 1974. Print. O'Keefe, Tim. Epicureanism. Berkeley: University of California, 2010. Print. Panichas, George A. Epicurus. New York: Twayne, 1967. Print.Sandbach, FH The Stoics. New York: Norton, 1975. Print. Warburton, Nigel. A short history of philosophy. New Haven: Yale UP, 2011. Print.