What is Lucretius known for?
Lucretius, in full Titus Lucretius Carus, (flourished 1st century bce), Latin poet and philosopher known for his single, long poem, De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things). The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus.
Who found Lucretius On the Nature of Things?
The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores Epicurean physics through poetic language and metaphors….De rerum natura.
| by Lucretius | |
|---|---|
| Opening of Pope Sixtus IV’s 1483 manuscript of De rerum natura, scribed by Girolamo di Matteo de Tauris | |
| Lines | 7,400 |
What is the best translation of De Rerum Natura?
Lucretius’ single poem, De Rerum Natura, which can be translated ‘On the Nature of Things’ or (as it is here) ‘On the Nature of the Universe’, may well be thought the best philosophy in classical Latin, superior to Cicero or Seneca in intellectual seriousness and sustained power of argument.
What does rerum natura mean?
in the nature of things in
: in the nature of things in the world of nature as distinguished from the world of human beings : in the realm of material things they do not signify anything in rerum natura— R. F. McRae.
What did Lucretius discover?
Lucretius was one of the first persons to discover that everything in this universe, ranging from planets and stars to mountains, decay. Centuries before the second law of thermodynamics, he predicted that one day “the walls of the sky will be stormed on every side, and will collapse into a crumbling ruin …
Did Lucretius believe in the gods?
Lucretius. Lucretius did not deny the existence of gods either, but he felt that human ideas about gods combined with the fear of death to make human beings unhappy.
What was Lucretius philosophy?
Lucretius presents the principles of atomism, the nature of the mind and soul, explanations of sensation and thought, the development of the world and its phenomena, and explains a variety of celestial and terrestrial phenomena.
What is the significance and the beauty of De Rerum Natura?
De Rerum Natura gives us that basic of physics, and a lot more besides: refutations of rival theories, explanations of mirrors and magnets, reasons not to fear death, some strong words about the folly of love, a mini-survey of human history and a range of causes for celestial and meteorological phenomena.
What is Lucretius swerve?
Clinamen (/klaɪˈneɪmən/; plural clinamina, derived from clīnāre, to incline) is the Latin name Lucretius gave to the unpredictable swerve of atoms, in order to defend the atomistic doctrine of Epicurus. In modern English it has come more generally to mean an inclination or a bias.
What is arguendo law?
A Latin term meaning “in arguing” or “for the sake of argument”. When one assumes something arguendo, the person is asserting a hypothetical or other statement for the purpose of argument. legal practice/ethics.
Why does Lucretius start with an invocation of Venus in his book on the nature of the universe?
This paper addresses the question, ‘Why did Lucretius choose Venus as his Muse? ‘ My answer is twofold: Venus represents both physical and spiritual re- newal. In the first place, she represents the continual renewal of nature through the creative energy of the atoms.
What did Lucretius believe about atoms?
But it is clear, in all his work, that Lucretius conceived two things as quite constant: atoms were neither created nor destroyed, and their motion could neither be created nor destroyed. He believed that each atom kept its velocity unaltered.
When did Lucretius write on the nature of things?
On the Nature of Things By Lucretius Written 50 B.C.E Translated by William Ellery Leonard Table of Contents Book I Proem Mother of Rome, delight of Gods and men, Dear Venus that beneath the gliding stars Makest to teem the many-voyaged main And fruitful lands- for all of living things Through thee alone are evermore conceived,
Where are the search options in Lucretius De rerum natura?
Full search options are on the right side and top of the page. Glow with diffused radiance for thee! Or swim the bounding torrents. Thus amain, Kind after kind. And since ’tis thou alone Immortal charm.
Who was the translation of Lucretius based on?
The thing that immediately impresses me is that this translation states that it is based on the Latin text of H.A.J. Munro. My initial review is that though there are significant differences in their versions, Johnston also chose to follow Munro’s lead in preferring understandability over preservation of a lyrical form.
Why does Lucretius open his poem with Venus?
Lucretius opens his poem by addressing Venus (center), urging her to pacify her lover, Mars (right). Given Lucretius’s relatively secular philosophy and his eschewing of superstition, his invocation of Venus has caused much debate among scholars.