Abstract: Plutarch mentions Epicurus twice in his De audiendis poetis. These two mentions appear separately in the beginning and the end of the essay which both focus on the relationship between poetry and philosophy. Epicurus appears as an adversary at the first time, while he becomes a friend of Plutarch at the second time. The examine of Epicurus in the De audiendis poetis can not only help us to understand Plutarch’s thoughts on education by poetry, but also help us to understand the ancient issue of “the quarrel between philosophy and poetry”.

Key words: Plutarch, Epicurus, De audiendis poetis, poetry and philosophy.