The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through poetic. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. The importance of wind and air in book 6 of lucretiusa. Sep 19, 2011 not only did lucretius write this more than 2,000 years ago, somehow his book managed to survive the fall of rome, the burning, looting and desecration of the great libraries, a thousand years of. Death is somewhat worrying for most people, but an attempt to tackle. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed. Among digressions about the importance of philosophy in mens life and praises of epicurus, lucretius created a solid treatise on the atomic theory, the falseness of religion and many kinds of natural phenomena.
Jerome, a prominent roman clergyman writing four centuries after his death, wrote that a love potion had driven him insane and that lucretius had eventually committed suicide. The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the greek philosopher epicurus. Lucretiuss optical theory and doctrines of how the senses work seem rather convoluted and bizarre. The deversification of lucretius treating it as prose is an unintended theme of the most famous contemporary account of of things nature, stephen greenblatts the swerve. Nov 15, 2007 lucretius ends his work with the same goal he had when he started book 1. In book 4 he sets out to prove once again that the universe is composed only of physical bits of matter called atoms and that gods did not create the cosmos nor do they intervene in human affairs. On the nature of the universe is a didactic epic poem. Lucretius denounced popular beliefs in deities and supernatural creatures. Lucretius refers to memmius by name four times in the first book, three times in the second. The first beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye. Campbell has written a thoughtful and timely reassessment of lucretius engagement with his teleological opponents, as well as with preso. Book 4 explains the nature of sensation and thought, and ends with an impressive account of sexual love. How the world became modern norton, a new book by cogan university professor and noted shakespeare scholar stephen greenblatt, to be published in september. An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make.
Highly educated, he belonged to the aristocratic sector of the tricipitini, which often emerged in. On the nature of the universe book 4 throughout the first three books of on the nature of the universe lucretius walks a thin line between philosophy, science and poetry. The poem is divided into six books or sections and. In book 3, lucretius draws a distinction between wind aura and air. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines.
Baileys translation of lucretius are a wiser devise. He states once again in book 6 word for word an exact duplication of a statement he made earlier in book 3. Lucretius also talks about the soul, or anima, which translates as a life spirit or vital spirit that was considered present in the body in some way that involved air and warmth. In the poembook, lucretius takes on the task of persuading people that they should not fear death. For a more detailed description of the contents of each book, please consult the. On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c. The ultimate reality to lucretius is one which has been darkened by the veil of irrational superstition. In book 4 he sets out to prove once again that the universe is composed only of physical bits of matter called atoms and that gods did not create the cosmos nor. An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you. Perseus books group was an american publishing company founded in 1996 by investor frank pearl. On the nature of things by lucretius, part of the internet classics archive. Still, lucretius lays out some of his principles in their strongest form. Works by lucretius at perseus project internet encyclopedia of philosophy entry by david. Though often referred to as lucretius, his official name is titus lucretius carus.
And we ourselves indeed to make this book, and still to seek the nature of the world and set it down, when once discovered, here in these my countrys leaves. Lucretius selections from the drn with a brief introduction. Lucretius by john godwin meet your next favorite book. Lucretius only extant work, written in dactylic hexameter, addressed to gaius memmius who became praetor in 58 bc and failed to be converted.
In his new book, author and harvard literature professor stephen greenblatt explores. Get an answer for how does lucretius explain book 4 in on the nature of the universe. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system. Lucretiustranslation of drn 3, from the internet classics archive. The selections included here are from the first three books. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning. In the first place, the study of lucretius has made considerable advances. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek philosopher epicurus, with the aim of dispelling fear of the gods and fear of death and so enabling man to attain peace of mind and happiness.
Death is somewhat worrying for most people, but an attempt to tackle fear of it philosophically is rare. With intense moral fervour lucretius demonstrates to humanity that in death there is nothing to fear since the soul is mortal, and the world and everything in it is governed not by the gods, but by the. Lucretius expounds the nature of things, because epicureans believed that the. Lucretius poem on the nature of the universe combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. An introduction to on the nature of things by lucretius. Greenblatt begins the swerve with an account of his youthful discovery of lucretius through martin ferguson smiths excellent prose translation. Throughout the first three books of on the nature of the universe lucretius walks a thin line between philosophy, science and poetry. In books i and ii lucretius presents the principles of atomism. Proem tis sweet, when, down the mighty main, the winds roll up its waste of waters, from the land to watch anothers labouring anguish far, not that we joyously delight that man should thus be smitten, but because tis sweet. What do you think a poet like lucretius, disillusioned with his city, and disappointed by corruption in his time, would do. In the poem book, lucretius takes on the task of persuading people that they should not fear death. Twenty arguments which prove that the soul perishes with the body, contrary to the pythagorean theory. It was named publisher of the year in 2007 by publishers weekly magazine for its role in taking on publishers formerly distributed by publishers group west and acquiring avalon publishing group.
Entered as secondclass matter november 18, 1907, at the post office, new york, n. Oct 09, 2008 lucretius poem on the nature of the universe combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. Prepared from the sphere library book, translated martin ferguson smith 1969. Though often referred to as lucretius, his official na. Book iii explores the nature of the mind animus or central consciousness and the soul anima or sensation and explains that. Lucretiuss scientific poem on the nature of things c. Marginal comments mealit to show connection of thought see e.
This is an interesting work to read, useful for promoting understanding of classical epicureanism notes mostly extracted from the text. In it, he set out to explicate the universe, embracing and refuting ideas of the great greek philosophers. The first three books provide a fundamental account of being and nothingness, matter. After the death of frank pearl, perseus was sold to centre lane partners in 2015, a private equity firm. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled. Epicurus taught that the world could be understood by reason and that religion only arouses unnecessary fear. The poem takes the form of a detailed exposition of epicurean physical theory an extreme materialism designed to remove and discredit popular fears of the gods, death and an afterlife. Book 6 lucretius ends his work with the same goal he had when he started book 1. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek. The improbable story of how it reemerged, and how the mindset it advocated informs our present, is the subject of the swerve. In book 3 he expounds the nature and composition of mind and spirit, proves their mortality, and argues that there is nothing to fear in death. Jan 26, 2016 lucretius s optical theory and doctrines of how the senses work seem rather convoluted and bizarre.
Epicureanism was a missionary philospohy, aiming to give man happiness by making him selfsufficient. Learn about the book and the historical context in which it was written. His birth date is not certain, and little is known of his parentage or birthplace. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. In establishing the material basis of mind, lucretius lacked the modern concepts of the cell and the nervous system, with its voluntary and involuntary components. On the nature of things by lucretius, 9780872205871, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library. I will set out to discourse to you the ultimate realities of heaven and the gods. Works by lucretius at librivox public domain audiobooks. Stearns, epicurus and lucretius on love, cj 31 1936 34351 the violence of lucretius attack. Lucretius on creation and evolution, gordon campbells new commentary on some of the most interesting lines in lucretius story 5.
The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. And we ourselves indeed to make this book, and still to seek the nature of the world. Leonard and smith lucretius university of wisconsin press 1942 richard minadeo, the lyre of science. Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. Librivox recording of on the nature of things, by titus lucretius carus c. Titus lucretius carus was a roman poet and philosopher.
These set the stage for his explanation of the diversity of bodies. The soul and the body cant be separated without destruction of both. Preface no one can set about tnnslating lucretius into english without finding his head full of the great work of h. Book i 3 he listens while you let fall from those luscious lips your coaxing that for your sake, sweet lady, he allow the romans peace for in times of trouble and threat, i cannot perform my task nor, so beset, can the memmiis noble son neglect his duties demands.
Itmight indeed be thought that with so fine a model in existence it is unnecessary and unprofitable to undertake the task again. Aeneid ancient animals argument aristotle believe blow body book born cause cicero clouds cold colour comes dark death deep democritus diodorus siculus diogenes laertius diogenes of oenoanda disease. The epicurean view of the world is that it is composed entirely of atoms moving about in infinite space. Consider the whole discussion of how the rooster emits certain particles which stab the pupils of the lion 721. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. Study science in order to rid yourself of unneccesary fears, especially of the gods and death. It features an introduction to lucretiuss life and work by william ellery leonard, an introduction to and commentary on the poem by stanley barney smith, the complete. As a member, youll also get unlimited access to over 79,000 lessons in math, english, science, history, and more.
413 24 106 893 87 1482 1499 339 640 1013 590 1067 1358 214 137 679 891 401 1383 615 673 330 399 1167 785 421 594 1454 1397 29 920 1430 705 1184 301 810 395 1199 197 658 31 1225 52 1020 421 550