Lucretius book 1 translation

Lucretius poem on the nature of things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library. Humphries easy, varied lines are thoroughly readable. Evelyns complete extant translation lacking book 2 not published until john evelyns translation of titus lucretius carus. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines. This is a must have book for any humanist, freethinker, scientifically oriented person. Transcription of book 1 of the daniel browne edition is now complete, and we are in the process of adding the remaining five books, with crossreferences of each book against the latin text. Lucretius on the nature of things online library of liberty. Lucretius has much to say to us and we owe rolfe humphries a lot for giving him to us in a translation. An oldspelling critical edition ed repetzki, peter lang 2000 isbn 9780820443881. What do you think a poet like lucretius, disillusioned with his city, and disappointed by corruption in his time, would do. In the first place, the study of lucretius has made considerable advances. Back to text 2 gaius memmius was a leading politician in rome tribune in 66 bc, and evidently a friend of lucretius other than the poem we have no reliable details of their relationship. Apart from lucretiuss poem almost nothing is known about him.

Little is known of his life, although two tantalizing bits of gossip were passed on by st. Don fowler 2007 lucretius on creation and evolution. If you are available to assist as simple as typing the text from the pdf into an email please email or check in here. These set the stage for his explanation of the diversity of bodies. There is really no other explanation for this book than the fact that richard feynman had built a time machine and had the opportunity to talk with lucretius for one hour but no more and explain to him what he feynman has said is the most important statement he could say in the fewest words, that all things are made of atomslittle. In book 1 he establishes the general principles of the atomic system, refutes the views of rival physicists, and proves the infinity of the universe and of its two. It would be like writing a poem of all of our cuurent understandings of the nature of things it was a monumental task to execute such a poem, as lucretius did in his time. On the nature of things by lucretius, part of the internet classics archive. This translation is based primarily upon the latin text of h. Mother of rome, delight of gods and men, dear venus that beneath the gliding stars. Lucretiuss most popular book is the way things are.

If youre like me, the following layout might be useful. On the nature of things watson translation by carus, titus. Epicurus taught that the world could be understood by reason and that religion only arouses unnecessary fear. And since ive read it in latin and in one translation that i wasnt particularly fond of.

The poem is a long, impassioned plea for a materialistic understanding of the universe and of human life, without reference to divine creativity or benevolence or to a future life. Have a look at what they say of his concluding passage, the one where hes translating thucydides as a test. This elegant new translation at last restores the poetry to one of the greatest and most influential poems in the western tradition. Lucretius on the nature of things matter and void, part i. 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. The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. On the nature of things has been divided into the following sections. No one can set about translating lucretius into english without finding his head full. Home collectionstexts perseus catalog research grants open source about help. Lucretius denounced popular beliefs in deities and supernatural creatures. May 15, 2010 on the nature of things by titus lucretius carus written around 60 bc has for centuries been one of the most popular and influential works from our classical past. An ontology of motion edinburgh university press, 2018, being and motion oxford university press, 2018, returning to revolution. The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the greek philosopher epicurus.

Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. 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. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through poetic. Eds ashley reid barbour and david norbrook 2011 the works of lucy hutchinson, vol. Deleuze, guattari and zapatismo edinburgh university press, 2012, the figure of the migrant stanford university press, 2015 and theory of the border. 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. 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.

Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. Titus lucretius quotes 15 science quotes dictionary of. Thomas nail is associate professor of philosophy at the university of denver. It is sweet, when winds trouble the waters on the great sea, to behold from land the distress of others, not because it is a pleasure that any should be afflicted, but because it is sweet to see from what evils you are yourself exempt. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. Drydens translation of lucretius 2 1 enjoyment for us little. On the nature of things work by lucretius britannica. On the nature of things by lucretius the internet classics archive. On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c. Book iv deals mainly with the psychology of sensation and thought, and also with certain biological functions. 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.

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 dispelling fear of. Lucretius has 110 books on goodreads with 78773 ratings. The poem is divided into six books or sections and. A useful recent translation of lucretius on the nature. An outstanding translation of the complete poem which adheres faithfully to the text, with poetic force, accuracy, and humanitas. In the present reprint the translation has been adapted. Rolfe humphries lucretius pdf by lucretius author, rolfe humphries translator. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. Lucretius offers us a vision of the world rather different from the one our. Lucretius, on the nature of things, book 1 johnstoniatexts. While acknowledging then my debt to munro for the main. On the nature of things by titus lucretius carus free ebook. Preface no one can set about tnnslating lucretius into english without finding his head full of the great work of h.

The poem was lost during the middle ages, rediscovered in 1417, and first printed in 1473. It is a formidable task to put 7,500 latin hexameter lines into english verse, but mr. Reissued to accompany stephen greenblatts the swerve. Includes intro, notes, outline and a glossary of philosophical terms crossreferenced to use throughout the poem. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Proem tis sweet, when, down the mighty main, the winds roll up its waste of waters, from the land.

The title of lucretiuss work translates that of the chief work of epicurus, peri physeos on nature. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Lucretius seems to equate copper with bronze, an alloy of copper and tin that has much greater resilience than copper. 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. For table of contents and information about this translation, including, please use this link. He may have considered bronze to be a stronger variety of copper and not necessarily a wholly individual material. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines life. Its earliest published translation into any language french did not occur until 1650. Titus lucretius carus was probably born in the early first century b. On the nature of things by titus lucretius carus written around 60 bc has for centuries been one of the most popular and influential works from our classical past. Titus lucretius carus died mid to late 50s bce was an epicurean poet of the late roman republican era. On the nature of things lucretius harvard university press.