Theophrastus · Epicurus Were Theophrastus and Epicurus alive at the same time? Yes. Theophrastus and Epicurus were alive at the same time, from 342 BC to 287 BC. TheophrastusGreek philosopherBorn c. 371 BC · died 287 BCEpicurusAncient Greek philosopherBorn 342 BC · died 270 BC AristotleChanakyaTheophrastusAlexander the GreatEpicurusAshokaArchimedes Theophrastus and Epicurus in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.