Greek philosophers
Democritus of Abdera
Democritus of Abdera (in Thrace) was a Greek philosopher who was born in 460 BC and died in 370 BC. He was the founder of atomism and also a disciple of Leucippus, and is sometimes referred to as the "laughing philosopher".
Aristotle also dealt with his works.
Democritus of Abdera came from a wealthy family and so was able to travel extensively. He visited India and Ethiopia and even lived in Egypt for five long years. When he returned home, he lived very modestly. His aim in life was knowledge, a peaceful life and a balanced mind. These things, he said, could not be achieved through laziness or the accumulation of wealth. His mechanistic atomism is a precursor of later materialism.
Democritus was very conservative in his views on society. He valued freedom and equality, but this did not apply to women and slaves. Wealth did not bother him, but in his view the rich should help the poor to maintain peaceful relationships. He also claimed "Better to live as a poor man in a democracy than as a rich man under a tyrant."
He was a prominent skeptic, but he did not found any schools, and so his works fell into obscurity. This was partly because his teachings were rejected by Plato and also by Christians. And he was one of the most prolific writers of his time, writing also about geometry, the universe and ethical issues.