On the nature of things

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Titus Lucretius Carus: On the nature of things (1969, Sphere)

254 pages

English language

Published Aug. 10, 1969 by Sphere.

ISBN:
978-0-7221-7940-6
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3 stars (1 review)

This is regarded as a seminal text of Epicurean science and philosophy. Epicurians discarded both the idea of immortality and the superstitious worship of wilful gods for a life of serene contentment in the available pleasures of nature. Lucretius (c100-c55BC), in elucidating this belief, steers the reader through an extraordinary breadth of subject matter, ranging from the indestructibility of atoms and the discovery of fire to the folly of romantic love and the phenomena of clouds and rainstorms.

37 editions

reviewed On the Nature of Things by Titus Lucretius Carus

Review of 'On the Nature of Things' on 'Storygraph'

3 stars

Lucretius lends us an eye into the scientific knowledge and reasoning of the Romans, or at least one of them as I believe his views were rather radical at that time. I was surprised to find a mention of survival of the fittest, and his deductions about space, weather and the building blocks in nature are quite spot on. This book made it even more amazing how over a 1000 years of the ruling catholic religion has wiped out most of this knowledge, only to be rediscovered in the renaissance.

The only downside to this book, which is not really a downside, was that I assumed this would also touch upon the teachings of Epicurus as Lucretius was one of his most well-known Roman followers. Aside from a few mentions, and the epicurean spirit throughout the verses, little true epicurean wisdom was found.

Subjects

  • Didactic poetry, Latin -- Translations into English.
  • Philosophy, Ancient.