The humanists of the Renaissance rediscovered the Latin and Greek classics (hence the "rebirth" or "renaissance" of the classical world). The humanists believed that the Greek and Latin classics contained both all the lessons one needed to lead a moral and effective life and the best models for a powerful Latin style.
Cicero represented several ideals: his language and composition was a model for any use of language, particularly Latin. As a philosopher, he combined both wisdom and eloquence. Finally, as an orator, Cicero did not lead a rarefied life removed from social concerns, rather he prided himself on his participation in politics. In this, Cicero represented the ideal of employing both wisdom and eloquence in the public good. .
The Roman poet Lucretius is the main source for contemporary knowledge of Epicurus's thought. Lucretius sought to free humanity from the fear of death and of the gods, which he considered the main cause of human unhappiness. Lucretius does not deny the existence of gods, but he conceives of them as having no concern with the affairs or destiny of mortals.
From Augustine Humanists learned that the only proper study for a human being to engage in was to study oneself, to look within oneself and work within oneself to guarantee one's salvation. This idea would eventually develop into the hallmark of humanist belief, the dignity of humanity.
Boethius prior his premature death translated Aristotle's treatises on logic together with Porphyry's introduction to Aristotle's. His works served to transmit Greek philosophy to the early centuries of the Middle Ages. .
