Final answer:
The claim that Petronius was a stoic philosopher with the purpose of satirizing the Epicureans is false. Petronius authored the Satyricon, a satirical work, but he was not associated with the stoic school of philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Petronius was a well-known stoic, whose purpose was to satirize the Epicureans, is false. Petronius is best known as the author of the Satyricon, a work of satire, but he was not a stoic philosopher. Stoicism and Epicureanism were two distinct schools of Hellenistic philosophy with differing views on how to achieve happiness. The Stoics believed in living in harmony with the divine reason (Logos) that governs the universe and advocated facing life's challenges without extreme emotions. In contrast, the Epicureans, followers of Epicurus, sought to minimize pain and fear to achieve pleasure and tranquility, often retiring from public life into philosophical communities. While Petronius's work does contain elements of satire, it should not be confused with the philosophical discipline of Stoicism.