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. On the nature of things unabridged naxos audiobooks. To each generation its problems present themselves in their own peculiar manner, and we must endeavour to understand lucretius not as a contempo. Even those bored by nature documentaries cant help but be transfixed by the amazing camera work and dedication it took to create this 11episode series. This 45page guide for on the nature of things by lucretius includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 6 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. In his new book, author and harvard literature professor stephen greenblatt explores the 2,000 yearold writings of lucretius and his. 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. Jun 26, 2011 lucretius is a really difficult text and you need a translation that will point out his sources and what hes doing with them. On the nature of things hardcover january 1, 1970 by lucretius author 4. For over 100 years oxford worlds classics has made available the broadest spectrum of. In a fresh interpretation of lucretius s on the nature of things, charles segal reveals this great poetical account of epicurean philosophy as an important and profound document for the history of western attitudes toward death. The turners oak is a hybrid of the european oak quercus robur and the mediterranean.
Lucretiuss work enabled a radical critique of religion, because his notion. His aim was to free the roman world from its two great terrors. Jan 21, 20 l ucretius full name titus lucretius carus lived in the first half of the century bc, probably from 99 to 55 bc. With intense moral fervour he 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 by the mechanical laws of nature and not by gods. Thus the sum of things is ever being renewed, and mortal. On the nature of things work by lucretius britannica. Project gutenberg offers 62,091 free ebooks to download.
Of the nature of things paperback february 4, 2010 by lucretius author 4. On the nature of things leonard translation titus lucretius carus c. For the documentary television series, see the nature of things. The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. The poem explores lucretius belief about the gods, humanity, the senses, the world, and the universe, all through the philosophical framework of epicurus. Introduction to lucretius on the nature of things cyril baley o f the three great latin poets lucretius seems to make the most peculiar appeal to our own age. Poetic models and natural philosophy in the consolation to marcia. Lucretius is a really difficult text and you need a translation that will point out his sources and what hes doing with them. Axioms of lucretius atomic theory of the universe nature resolves everything into its component atoms and never reduces anything to nothing there is vacuity in things material objects are of two kinds. Lucretius denounced popular beliefs in deities and supernatural creatures.
On the nature of things summary and study guide supersummary. Titus lucretius carus died mid to late 50s bce was an epicurean poet of the late roman republican era. Page 91 men fear death as children fear to go in the dark. On the nature of things is sweeping in scope and detail, but in the end it is essentially a presentation of the epicurean method for answering the most common and troubling questions about the nature of life and of the universe. Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. In a fresh interpretation of lucretiuss on the nature of things, charles segal reveals this great poetical account of epicurean philosophy as an important and profound document for the history of western attitudes toward death.
Have a look at what they say of his concluding passage, the one where hes translating thucydides as a test. The roman lucretius was a follower of epicurus, who taught that knowledge, fraternity, and the practice of virtue lead to the greatest pleasures in life tranquility and security. Only we must be careful not to interpret the past by the present. The epicurean view of the world is that it is composed entirely of atoms moving about in infinite space. L ucretius full name titus lucretius carus lived in the first half of the century bc, probably from 99 to 55 bc. In his new book, author and harvard literature professor stephen greenblatt explores. Epicurus taught that the world could be understood by reason and that religion only arouses unnecessary fear. 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 argues that the gods are not actively involved in life, so need not be appeased. He shows that this poem, aimed at promoting spiritual tranquillity, confronts two anxieties about death not addressed. In this historical piece, lucretius made some very wild claims for the time in which he lived. Melvilles particularly literal translation of the use of metaphor is especially helpful to those looking at the text from a scientific or philosophical point of view.
The poem is divided into six books or sections and. The tendency to see it as an isolated purple passage has concealed its crucial significance. Brieger and still more to the late professor giussani,l the philosophy of epicurus is far better understood than it was. He overlapped chronologically with the political titan cicero who had read and. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. To each generation its problems present themselves in their own peculiar manner, and we must endeavour to understand lucretius not as a. The title of lucretiuss work translates that of the chief work of epicurus, peri physeos on nature. On the nature of things a conversation with margaret graver, professor of classics, dartmouth college.
On the nature of things by lucretius, part of the internet. This is a new verse translation of lucretiuss only known work, a didactic poem written in six books of hexameters. Certainly, the contemplation of death, as the wages of sin and passage to another world, is holy and religious. An early thinker in what grew to become the study of evolution, lucretius believed nature experiments endlessly across the aeons, and the organisms that adapt best to their environment have the best chance of surviving. Lucretius was born in 99 bc, and on the nature of things is his only surviving work. In contrast to modern thought on the subject, he did. Smith outlines in a highly accessible manner what little is known of lucretius life and times, the poems position and status in the epic and didactic tradition, and the philosophy of epicurus that lucretius puts forward, but also manages to include some of the most up to date research, including recent scholarship on the herculaneum papyri. Lucretius poem on the nature of the universe combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. On the nature of things unabridged on the nature of things unabridged audiobook, by lucretius.
On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c. Lucretius poem on the nature of things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of. Lucretius on the nature of things matter and void, part i. Librivox recording of on the nature of things, by titus lucretius carus c. Living organisms survived because of their strength, speed, or intellect. Also the building blocks for his ethical theory the universe is one large stable system. Lucretius poem on the nature of things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. On the nature of things by titus lucretius carus free ebook.
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