Lucretius: On the Nature of Things (Loeb Classical Library No. 181) (Bks. 1-6) (Hardcover)

by Titus Lucretius Carus (Author), W.H.D. Rouse (Editor), M.F. Smith (Translator)

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Product Description

Lucretius (Titus Lucretius Carus) lived ca. 99–ca. 55 BCE, but the details of his career are unknown. He is the author of the great didactic poem in hexameters, De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things). 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.

In Book 1 he establishes the general principles of the atomic system, refutes the views of rival physicists, and proves the infinity of the universe and of its two ultimate constituents, matter and void. In Book 2 he explains atomic movement, the variety of atomic shapes, and argues that the atoms lack colour, sensation, and other secondary qualities. 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. Book 4 explains the nature of sensation and thought, and ends with an impressive account of sexual love. Book 5 describes the nature and formation of our world, astronomical phenomena, the beginnings of life on earth, and the development of civilization. In Book 6 the poet explains various atmospheric and terrestrial phenomena, including thunder, lightning, earthquakes, volcanoes, the magnet, and plagues.

The work is distinguished by the fervour and poetry of the author.

Language Notes
Text: English, Latin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Loeb Classical Library; Revised edition (January 1, 1924)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674992008
• ISBN-13: 978-0674992009
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #259,821 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat disappointing, March 10, 2004

By	Jonathan Badger (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first thing that the potential buyer should know is although De Rerum Natura is a poem, this translation doesn't even attempt to be poetic but simply translates everything as prose. On the other hand, this choice may aid readers who are trying to follow along in Latin as a poetic translation would have to be less faithful.

Secondly, the translator seems to be trying to weaken Lucretius' arguments deliberately -- for instance, a major theme of the first book is a rebuttal of the tired assertion that religion leads to morality-- but the translator always uses "superstition" as a translation for the Latin word "religio". While it is true that "religio" can also mean "superstition", it is clear from the context that Lucretius was criticizing mainstream supernatural beliefs -- in other words religion -- rather than oddball beliefs that are termed superstition.

23 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine edition of Lucretius' lengthy poem, July 16, 2000

By	Molly the Cat "Meow" (the USA) - See all my reviews

This is the Loeb Classical Library (parallel Latin-English) edition of Lucretius' *De Rerum Natura.* Martin Ferguson Smith has done a superb job of revising (in 1975, with further changes in 1982 and 1992) the version of W.H.D. Rouse which first appeared in 1924; Smith also adds his own valuable introduction on the life and works of Lucretius.

The poem itself is diffuse, with flashes of considerable brilliance, but some awfully primitive "scientific" notions (probably unavoidable given the times in which Lucretius wrote). As far as what has been considered "atheism" on Lucretius' part (though wrongly, as Lucretius does not deny that gods exist--only that they have any bearing on human affairs), and his disbelief in any kind of afterlife, I have to agree with John Dryden that such teachings are the opposite of what is likely to instill a sense of morality in the reader, as Lucretius apparently intended to instill in Memmius, the person he addresses in the poem; said Dryden, "...to take away rewards and punishments, is only a pleasing prospect to a man, who resolves beforehand not to live morally. But on the other side, the thought of being nothing after death is insupportable to a vertuous man..." (Preface to Sylvae).

The Loeb edition also has helpful glosses in the margins opposite the English translation, which are very helpful signposts to aid the reader in finding his way around Lucretius' often complex argumentation. Highly recommended.