Democritus on the Rise of Civilization and Music: A Reappraisal, With a Second Thought on 68 B 144 DK

This paper provides an up-to-date examination of the testimonies and fragments concerning Democritus’ concept of the rise of civilization, especially in relation to the genesis of the arts and music. After showing that it is possible to attribute to Democritus an idea of human ‘progress’, the paper turns to 68 B 144 DK, arguing that its Epicurean source originally encountered the fragment – quoted for different purposes and within a different set of musical beliefs – in the work of a Stoic author.