Theodorus the Atheist and Ancient Atheism

It is established that Theodore’s anti-religious views were closely connected with his moral  and ethical teaching. It is shown that all known ancient atheists, except Theodore, were inconsistent in their criticism of religious views. It is established that Theodore’s views on the gods and religion were formed in the conditions of the deepening crisis of the Greek polis and the formation of Hellenistic monarchies. It is concluded that Theodore was the most consistent and radical ancient atheist.

Keywords: ancient atheism, Theodorus the Atheist, Democritus, Protagoras, Prodicus, Critias, Diagoras, Epicurus, Euhemerus, Bion of Borysthenes.