2016-05-21 Sat

On 12th May 2016, The Greek Finance Ministry released a special €10 face-valued silver commemorative coin that celebrates the noted Greek philosopher Demokritos. The coin can be purchased for 52.85€ plus V.A.T and the mintage is limited to 2,000 coins.

One of the most significant scientific theories, the atomic theory was conceived by Democritus (c. 460-370 BC). Born in Abdera, Thrace, he was mentored by Lefkippos. He got a chance to learn from famous philosophers like Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes and Herakleitos when he travelled to Ionia. Considered as one of the world’s most prominent polymaths, he travelled around the world extensively and he wrote on various topics like ethics, physics, mathematics, music, cosmology and technology.

According to his atomic theory, all material bodies consist of atoma (“atoms”) which are invisible and indivisible particles. He was the one who believed that the world is constantly in motion and continuously changing. He also promoted the concept of teleology which states that there is an underlying purpose to everything. Democritus was the last among the great philosophers before Socrates who greatly influenced modern philosophers.