Bøger af Lucretius

Stoic Six Pack 3: The Epicureans brings together six Epicurean master works: The Letters of Epicurus, Principal Doctrines of Epicurus, De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum by Cicero, On The Nature of Things by Lucretius, Upon The Gardens of Epicurus by William Temple and Stoics vs Epicureans by Robert Drew Hicks .

Lucretius' poem On the Nature of Things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. With intense moral fervour he demonstrates to humanity that in death there is nothing to fear since the soul is mortal, and the world and everything in it is governed by the mechanical laws of nature and not by gods; and that by believing this men can live in peace of mind and happiness. He bases this on the atomic theory expounded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus, and continues with an examination of sensation, sex, cosmology, meteorology, and geology, all of these subjects made more attractive by the poetry with which he illustrates them.

The Roman poet and philosopher Titus Lucretius Carus better known as Lucretius was born in approximately 99 BCE. Much of the events in his life are unknown. What is known is that is is the author of one of the great classics of poetry. The epic didactic poem in hexameters, On the Nature of Things (De Rerum Natura). Within its six books Lucretius makes a bold sweep through the scientific theories of the Greek philosopher Epicurus in poetic form to give man a firm base from which to attain a peace and stability from all of the competing elements in society, life and the heavens. The poem was a significant influence on the Latin Augustan poets, particularly Virgil (in his Aeneid and Georgics) and Horace. With the fall of the Empire the work disappeared. It was only in 1417 that a copy was re-discovered in a monastery in Germany and it once more became an important influence, this time in the Enlightenment era. In its scope and breadth it achieves much, both as a purveyor of scientific principles but also as a majestic poetry classic.

Very little is known about the Roman poet and philosopher Titus Lucretius Carus. His birth and death dates are based off of cross-referencing works that mention him, and pieces of evidence derived from his writing, and are believed to be circa 99 BC-54 BC. "On the Nature of Things" is Lucretius's only known work. The goal of the text is to explain Epicurean philosophy to the Roman people. It is addressed to Gaius Memmius, a praetor and patron of Lucretius. Presented in this work is an argument for atomism, the assertion that it is not the Gods that are responsible for the happenings of the world, but rather atoms and voids. Lucretius also argues that death is simply the dissipation of the human mind, and that it is not something we should fear. "On the Nature of Things" is a detailed articulation of ancient thought-provoking debates which are still relevant today. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, follows the verse translation of William Ellery Leonard, and includes an introduction by Cyril Bailey.

The third book of Lucretius' great poem on the workings of the universe is devoted entirely to expounding the implications of Epicurus' dictum that death does not matter, 'is nothing to us'. The soul is not immortal: it no more exists after the dissolution of the body than it had done before its birth. Only if this fact is accepted can men rid themselves of irrational fears and achieve the state of ataraxia, freedom from mental disturbance, on which the Epicurean definition of pleasure was based. To present this case Lucretius deploys the full range of poetic and rhetorical registers, soberly prohibitive, artfully decorative or passionately emotive as best suits his argument, reinforcing it with vivid and compelling imagery. This new edition has been completely revised, with a considerably enlarged Commentary and a new supplementary introduction taking account of the great amount of new scholarship of the last forty years.

Originally published in 1937, this book contains an English translation of Lucretius' De rerum natura by R. C. Trevelyan. The text is accompanied by critical notes and footnotes explaining certain Classical references.

An outstanding translation of the complete poem which adheres faithfully to the text, with poetic force, accuracy, and humanitas. This text includes introduction, notes, outline and a glossary of philosophical terms cross-referenced to use throughout the poem.

Reissued to accompany Stephen Greenblatt's The Swerve: the epic poem that changed the course of human thought forever.

Presents a readable translation of a poem that is crucial to the history of ancient thought. This title offers an elaboration of Greek Epicurean physics and psychology. It argues that the soul is mortal, that pleasure is the object of life, and that humanity has free will, among other ideas.

This is a verse translation of Lucretius' only known work, "On the Nature of the Universe", a didactic poem in six books of hexameters. Melville's particularly literal translation of the use of metaphor should be helpful to those looking at the text from a scientific or philosophical point of view.

De Rerum Natura V

Lucretius lived ca. 99-ca. 55 BCE, but the details of his career are unknown. In his didactic poem De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things) he expounds Epicurean philosophy so as to dispel fear of the gods and death, and promote spiritual tranquility.