Its entries compare different translations, and there appears to be an entry for lucretius. Preface no one can set about tnnslating lucretius into english without finding his head full of the great work of h. Proem mother of rome, delight of gods and men, dear venus that beneath the gliding stars makest to teem the manyvoyaged main and fruitful lands for all of living things through thee alone are evermore conceived. Key issues in correct thinking the purpose of this page is to highlight several of the most key sections in the epicurean literature on the issue of correct thinking. The poem was lost during the middle ages, rediscovered in 1417, and first printed in 1473.
Loeb classical library founded by james loeb 1911 edited by jeffrey henderson. Nov 20, 2019 lucretius wanted to emphasize the prevalent role of pleasure and inclination in natural science, ethics and philosophy. Very little is known of the poets life, though a sense of his character and personality emerges vividly from his poem. Itmight indeed be thought that with so fine a model in existence it is unnecessary and unprofitable to undertake the task again. A useful recent translation of lucretius on the nature of things by cassius amicus published october, 2012 introductory material, lucretius, texts on epicurus until today i was unaware of a 2010 edition of on the nature of things produced by ian johnston and available at the website linked here. Study science in order to rid yourself of unneccesary fears, especially of the gods and death. Book iii spotlights on the idea of the brain and soul, building up the contention that we ought not fear passing. The introduction itself is for the most part unchanged updates appear in three notes but the section. And we ourselves indeed to make this book, and still to seek the nature of the world and set it down, when once discovered, here in these my countrys leaves. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Lucretius poem on the nature of the universe combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. From epicurean tenets lucretius dramatises and creates images for the follies of superstitious fears, passions, ambitions, attachment to nature, guilty fears of retribution for sins. Excerpt 3, from lucretius book vi humphries translation on left.
The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the greek philosopher epicurus. Lucretiuss most popular book is the way things are. When i had the fortunate advantage of finding it on kindle, i was overjoyed. Mourners, the elderly, nature and memmius raise their voices to debate the issue of mortality. The remainder of the book is devoted to a full account of epicurean cosmology and sociology, with the poet explaining the stages of life on earth and the origin and.
His greatest success is in persuading the reader to see the poem as a whole, as a single, strange work of art, in which the. The end of the roman republic university of vermont. What do you think a poet like lucretius, disillusioned with his city, and disappointed by corruption in his time, would do. Lucretius begins this book with another tribute to the genius of epicurus, whose heroic intellectual achievements, it is argued, exceed even the twelve labors of hercules. In book 4 he sets out to prove once again that the universe is composed only of physical bits of matter called atoms and that gods did not create the cosmos nor do they intervene in human affairs. However, for a modern reader it is very boring to read. From the very start of the poem, and especially in the opening lines of book 3 a ringing tribute to epicurus, lucretius makes it clear that his main purpose is not so much to display his own talents as to render accurately in a suitably sublime style the glorious philosophy of his master. Much of this is due to lucretius himself obviously, but much credit also goes to humphries for his elegant yet accessible translation. Share lucretius quotations about atheism, earth and water. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Ive read a couple other sets similar to this and was very happy to find this one. Lucretius has much to say to us and we owe rolfe humphries a lot for giving him to us in a translation. On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c.
The purpose of this page is to highlight several of the most key sections in the epicurean literature on the issue of correct thinking. The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. While it is strange to the modern reader to read a book on science and philosophy in hexameter verse, the adjustment is made quickly and there is something compelling, rhythmic, and concise about this approach. Lucretius s most popular book is the way things are. Lucretius arguments on the swerve and freeaction basil. An introduction to on the nature of things by lucretius.
It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines. The antiquity of this book calls for respect and appreciation. Humphries admirable and exciting translation makes it easy to grasp the shape and the magnitude of lucretius conception. April 27, 2016, recital hall, indiana university, bloomington. The poem is divided into six books or sections and. As a test to compare the versions, here is one of the key sections from book i, first in the munro edition i have not preserved the line breaks. Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. I was in the midst of reading yet another book that referenced lucretius on the nature of things and thought i should stop and read lucretius words for myself. Certainly humphries takes his own liberties with the text. Its a long 300 pages poem written in the first century bc in which the author pontificates about the physical sciences for the purpose of defending epicureanism philosophy. Aeneid ancient animals argument aristotle believe blow body book born cause cicero clouds cold colour comes dark death deep democritus diodorus siculus diogenes laertius diogenes of oenoanda disease. Librivox recording of on the nature of things, by titus lucretius carus c. The way things are by lucretius meet your next favorite book. Lucretius has 110 books on goodreads with 78091 ratings.
This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. 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. Translations here and elsewhere are from humphries 1968. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through poetic. Lucretius starts by conjuring epicurus, the savant who began this school of theory.
Rather than being gratified and fulfilled, people squandered their time on earth complaining about their old age and impending death. Rolfe humphries lucretius pdf by lucretius author, rolfe humphries translator. I am amazed that someone who lived more than 2000 years ago could possess such a deep and complete understanding of our universe. Epicureanism was a missionary philospohy, aiming to give man happiness by making him selfsufficient. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. I dont have an answer and its been ages since i read lucretius, but i can recommend the encyclopedia of literary translation into english as a possible source for an answer. Lucretius wanted to emphasize the prevalent role of pleasure and inclination in natural science, ethics and philosophy. Rolfe humphries verse translation of lucretiuss epic latin poem explaining the universe, within the framework of epicurean philosophy. Latin didactic poetry, ancient philosophy, poetry, translations into english, translations into italian, philosophy, early works to 1800, translations into spanish, translations into french, criticism and interpretation, nature, microbiology, classical literature, physics, history, atomic. In 3s close, however, lucretius attempts a good deal more. Have a look at what they say of his concluding passage, the one where hes translating thucydides as a test. A useful recent translation of lucretius on the nature of.
These set the stage for his explanation of the diversity of bodies. On the nature of things book 3 summary freebooksummary. Throughout the first three books of on the nature of the universe lucretius walks a thin line between philosophy, science and poetry. The section in the middle of the first book,5 in which lucretius criticizes rival theories of the world, shows us how epicurus applied his principle. The kindle version is not the book by rolfe humphries. On the nature of the universe by titus lucretius carus. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library. It is a formidable task to put 7,500 latin hexameter lines into english verse, but mr. See all 9 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Batstone online readings as assigned recommended text. Titus lucretius carus, lucretius on the nature of things, trans. Rolfe humphries translator, burton feldman introduction, george k.
In the first place, the study of lucretius has made considerable advances. On the nature of things by lucretius and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. 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. Humphries cited by book and line numbers sallust, catilines conspiracy bc, the jugurthine war bj and histories h oxford, tr. Lucretius makes way for the accompanying contentions by advising us that epicureans accept that dread of death is a shrewd conceived of numbness. Without you nothing emerges into the light of day, without you nothing is joyous or lovely. The way things are by titus lucretius carus, 9780253201256, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. They allowed death to take them away from living before death ever actually came. Humphries easy, varied lines are thoroughly readable. Excerpt 1, from lucretius book i humphries translation on left. Book 3, 866869 lucretius also saw that this fundamental fear of death prevented people from living their lives now.