Paul friedlander, american journal of philology 1945 titus lucretius carus ca. An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make. Have a look at what they say of his concluding passage, the one where hes translating thucydides as a test. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through poetic. How the world became modern norton, a new book by cogan university professor and noted shakespeare scholar stephen greenblatt, to be published in september. This book represents the primary source of modern knowledge on epicurean thought, and it played an important role in the development of atomism. The introduction itself is for the most part unchanged updates appear in three notes but the section. 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. I have translated from my own text published in the bibliotheca oxoniensi. For the rest, i simply went through the latin library with the whitakers words chrome.
Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library. Drawing on the atomism theory of democritus, dating over 400 years prior to his masterwork, lucretius main aim with his. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a. The poem explores lucretius belief about the gods, humanity, the senses, the world, and the universe, all through the philosophical framework of epicurus. Ancient understandings of the cosmos, evolution, atoms, mans place in the animal kingdom, that are spot on.
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. He rushes off to his villa driving like mad, yould think hes going to a house on fire, and yawns before hes put his. University of california press, 2008 the joan palevsky imprint in classical literature. All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek. Lucretius begins by invoking the name of venus as a creative force, appealing to memmius to whom the. It is an epic philosophical work about the beliefs of epicureanism. The poem, written in dactylic hexameter, is divided into six books, and concentrates heavily on epicurean physics.
Reading latin books is the best way to learn latin, so weve compiled a. On the nature of things, 1951 prose translation by r. To begin with, the entirety of lucretius text is included, which is quite rare outside of an oxford classical text in fact, i do believe this is the only complete version. Epicureanism was a missionary philospohy, aiming to give man happiness by making him selfsufficient.
Latham, introduction and notes by john godwin, penguin revised edition 1994, isbn 0140446109 lucretius 1971. On the nature of things work by lucretius britannica. Lucretius carus latin hardcover book free shipping. 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. Illud in his rebus non est mirabile, quare, omnia cum rerum primordia sint in motu, summa tamen summa videatur stare quiete, 310 praeter quam siquid proprio dat corpore motus. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. 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. Aeneadum genetrix, hominum divomque voluptas, alma venus, caeli subter labentia signa quae mare navigerum, quae terras frugiferentis concelebras, per te. Apart from lucretius s poem almost nothing is known. Drawing upon this materialist philosophy, lucretius cites the fear of death as the cause of mans ills, and shows the way to freedom from that fear.
Very little is known of the poets life, though a sense of his character and personality emerges vividly from his poem. A volume which no student of lucretius, of the classics, of philosophic literature can afford to ignore. Lucretius has been credited with originating the concept. In it, he set out to explicate the universe, embracing and refuting ideas of the great greek philosophers.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Mother of aeneas and his race, darling of men and venus, aid me in my work gods, nurturing venus, a who beneath the smoothmoving heavenly signs fill with yourself the sea fullladen with ships, the earth that bears the crops, since through you every kind of living thing is conceived and rising up looks on the light of the sun. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines life. The dcc ancient greek and latin core vocabulary lists are now available.
On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c. English translation of classic latin text with notes, introduction, glossary of key terms. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. For a more detailed description of the contents of each book, please consult the. This translation is based primarily upon the latin text of h. Lucretius simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system. Lucretius on human history this world is the product of nature, things colliding into. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book.
The improbable story of how it reemerged, and how the mindset it advocated informs our present, is the subject of the swerve. Fowler, lucrece, titus lucretius carus oxford university press, 2002 literary criticism 5 pages. Lucretius progressive revelation of nature in drn 1. Athens bestowed on them a new life and established laws. Comprehensive commentary by cyril bailey, oxford university press 1947. Text in latin at the latin library full latin text of drn. Reissued to accompany stephen greenblatts the swerve. The end of book 3 8301094 shows that death, as dissolution of consciousness and personality, can hold no. V context is key in interpreting some of the attempts at scientific phenomenon.
The, oxford book of latin verse, from the earliest fragments to the end of the vth century a. Volume one of two in olimpis retelling of the life of the greek hero perseus, this. The latin word carries with it the idea of thoroughness and industry, and lucr. 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. Pages 207454 are tanaquilli fabri emendations et conjecturae of tanaquillus faber tanneguy lefebvre, daughter of anna and andre dacier on the six books. It was athens of illustrious name that first in former athens produced not only corn, days spread abroad the corn bearing crops amongst suffering mankind a. The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the greek philosopher epicurus. Despite the jumping around, this commentary provides and excellent amount of grammatical and vocabulary notes accompanied by an excellent supply of references to similar works of philosophy, mythology, and rhetoric provided in order that the reader may compare and contrast the prevalent ancient views on life and death, atomic and. The title of lucretiuss work translates that of the chief work of epicurus, peri physeos on nature. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. Athens first gave the sweet and laws, consolations of life, when she brought forth a man b but epicurus the discoverer of truth, endowed with such wisdom, who. Study science in order to rid yourself of unneccesary fears, especially of the gods and death. Book v is really one of the better segments for both style and substance, in my opinion.
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