Jul 26, 2007 buy the nature of things penguin classics new ed. Little is known of his life, although two tantalizing bits of gossip were passed on by st. Apr, 2016 chinas strategy against trump and america. Smiths translation of the six book work was first published in england in 1969 and reissued, with revisions, in the united states in 2001.
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. We now move from physics to, what should i call it, neurology. Epicureanism was a missionary philospohy, aiming to give man happiness by making him selfsufficient. Titus lucretius quotes 15 science quotes dictionary of. This book represents the primary source of modern knowledge on epicurean thought, and it played an important role in the development of atomism. Perpetual rounds versus fixed states in book 3, lucretius offers several. Lucretius on human history this world is the product of. Lucretius catalogus translationum et commentariorum. Then throughout seas and mountains and sweeping torrents and the leafy dwellings of birds and verdant plains, striking alluring love into the breasts of all creatures, you cause them greedily to beget their generations after their kind. Anthony esolen fills that gap with a version that reproduceswith remarkable faithfulnessthe meaning, pace, and tone of the original latin. Within this paper, there is regularly being referred to the.
But of course i admire lucretius and his predecessor, epicurus and his predecessor because he really buckled down and looked out at the world, and inside himself, and showed in his logic the possible fortitude of the human mind. The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. I care about clarity and ease of reading more than accuracy or aesthetics. For this edition, professor smith provides a revised translation, new introduction, headnotes and bibliography. Lucretius is a really difficult text and you need a translation that will point out his sources and what hes doing with them. The introduction itself is for the most part unchanged updates appear in three notes but the section. A word cloud of the leonard translation of lucretius the nature of things.
The title of lucretiuss work translates that of the chief work of epicurus, peri physeos on nature. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through poetic. This elegant new translation at last restores the poetry to one of the greatest and most influential poems in the western tradition.
The latin text of lucretius latin and english edition by lucretius, william ellery leonard, et al. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. This sumptuous account of a secular cosmos argues that the soul is mortal, that pleasure is the object of life, and that humanity has free will, among other ideas. 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.
On the nature of things work by lucretius britannica. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. American thought leaders the epoch times 342,596 views. Commentary references to this page 3 john conington, commentary on vergils aeneid, volume 1, 1. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. Readers will share our excitement in the discovery of this accurate and fluent prose rendering. Mar 09, 2001 martin ferguson smiths work on lucretius is both well known and highly regarded.
Until now, there has been no adequate english verse translation of lucretiuss work. People ancient rome resources for ancient biblical. They are certainly not scripture, but belong on a shelf above philosophy. Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library.
Lucretius, lucretius and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Lucretius believed in the theory of atomism which lead to materialistic thinking and how atomism affects how one should view the purpose of life especially at the end of ones life. Titus lucretius carus was a roman poet and philosopher over 2050 years ago. 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. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines. On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c. This is the first commentary to take account of the remarkable discoveries and reevaluations in the field of hellenistic philosophy over the past thirty years, which have been stimulated by the publication of many more.
And for the rest, summon to judgments true, unbusied ears and singleness of mind withdrawn from cares. Titus lucretius carus was a roman poet and philosopher. Lucretius begins by invoking the name of venus as a creative force, appealing. Lucretius on human history this world is the product of nature, things colliding into. Study science in order to rid yourself of unneccesary fears, especially of the gods and death. Home collectionstexts perseus catalog research grants open source about help. On the nature of things lucretius, martin ferguson smith. My main goal is to understand epicurean philosophy, though of course it would be nice if it sounded good too. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. Jun 26, 2011 if you really want to understand the text, id go for the one with the best and fullest notes, rather than focusing on the ease of the translation. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. The poem, written in dactylic hexameter, is divided into six books, and concentrates heavily on epicurean physics. This study guide consists of approximately 68 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of on the nature of things.
Once more, if nature should of a sudden send a voice abroad, and her own self inveigh against us so. Latin, perhaps a penguin translation would be a better idea, but if you are able to appreciate the original metric the translation is in prose, buy this book. Titus lucretius carus was probably born in the early first century b. Lucretius has been credited with originating the concept. Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the greek philosopher epicurus.
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