 Democritus’ atomism was revived in the early Hellenistic period: Epicurus (341–270 BCE) founded an atomist school in Athens about 306 BCE. The Epicureans formed more of a closed community than other schools, and promoted a philosophy of a simple, pleasant life lived with friends. The community included women, and some of its members raised children. The works of the founder were revered and some of them were memorized, a practice that was thought to have discouraged philosophical innovation by later members of the school, although this view has been challenged (Fish and Sanders 2011).