An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make. However, many of our lys partners pursue their activity on a webshop you are invited to visit. The title of lucretiuss work translates that of the chief work of epicurus, peri physeos on nature. Lucretius carus, titus, rouse, william henry denham. This is an interesting work to read, useful for promoting understanding of classical epicureanism. Leonard and smith lucretius university of wisconsin press 1942 richard minadeo, the lyre of science. The lawyers seem to plead and cite decrees, commanders they to fight and go at frays, sailors to live in combat with the winds, and we ourselves indeed to make this book, and still to seek the. I didnt finish reading it but this book is the best translation for lucretiuss work. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. The poem, written in dactylic hexameter, is divided into six books, and concentrates heavily on epicurean physics. As well as being a pioneering figure in the history of philosophical poetry, lucretius has come to be our primary source of information on epicurean physics, the official topic of his poem.
On the nature of things by lucretius the internet classics archive. Buchner, who assumes an ellipse instead of a lacuna, overlooks the fact that wakefield and heinze take the same view. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Publication date 1920 publisher london routledge collection. A useful recent translation of lucretius on the nature. On the nature of things work by lucretius britannica.
Lucretius begins by invoking the name of venus as a creative force, appealing to memmius to whom the. Loeb classical library founded by james loeb 1911 edited by jeffrey henderson. The poem is divided into six books or sections and. T lucreti cari rerum natura libri sex translation abebooks. Please click here to go to our dedicated site for lucretius.
Close section book 5 text and translation with commentary 5. Ian johnstons new poetic translation brings out the full emotional range of this great work and captures the restless and intense urgency of the original text. Titus lucretius quotes 15 science quotes dictionary of. A word cloud of the leonard translation of lucretius the nature of things a world cloud of lucretius nature of things with highlighting circles. This sumptuous account of a secular cosmos argues that the soul is mortal, that pleasure is the object of life, and that humanity has free will, among other ideas. Google this is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on.
It does a great job of capturing the poetry of lucretius with its format. Jun 26, 2011 if you really want to understand the text, id go for the one with the best and fullest notes, rather than focusing on the ease of the translation. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. The purpose of this edition is to demonstrate the quality and. Lucretius denounced popular beliefs in deities and supernatural creatures.
Lucretius is a really difficult text and you need a translation that will point out his sources and what hes doing with them. This book is the 449th greatest fiction book of all time as determined by. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through richly poetic language and metaphors. Thomas nail argues convincingly and systematically that lucretius was not an atomist, but a thinker of kinetic flux. My main goal is to understand epicurean philosophy, though of course it would be nice if it sounded good too. Namely, lucretius explores the principles of atomism. This translation by esolen is not as arcane as william ellery leonards, just so you know. This translation is based primarily upon the latin text of h. On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c. This elegant new translation at last restores the poetry to one of the greatest and most influential poems in the western tradition. On the nature of things by lucretius, part of the internet classics archive. Or who is so potent in speech as to devise praises fit for his merits, who by his own intellect winning and gaining such treasures, has left them to us. I care about clarity and ease of reading more than accuracy or aesthetics.
And we ourselves indeed to make this book, and still to seek the nature of the world. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. 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. Check our home page for introductory material on epicurus by clicking here. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. For a more detailed description of the contents of each book, please consult the. A useful recent translation of lucretius on the nature of. For, after all, a translator is to make his author appear as. Epicurus taught that the world could be understood by reason and that religion only arouses unnecessary fear. Who is able with mighty mind to build a song worthy the divine discoveries of epicurus of the majesty of nature and these discoveries. Jan 26, 2016 i just reached the end of book 4 and theres a comforting reassurance by lucretius on how even the ugly ducklings can meet their soulmate by constantly boring through the stone of a mans resistance with kindness, patience, neatness, and good taste. Prepared from the sphere library book, translated martin ferguson smith 1969. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through poetic language and metaphors.
And to whateer pursuit a man most clings absorbed, or what the affairs on which we theretofore have tarried much, and mind hath strained upon the more, we seem in sleep not rarely to go at the same. The version read here is an english verse translation written by. Reissued to accompany stephen greenblatts the swerve. Don fowler 2007 lucretius on creation and evolution. Jul 26, 2007 buy the nature of things penguin classics new ed. A useful recent translation of lucretius on the nature of things. This study guide consists of approximately 68 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of on the nature of things.
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