Lucretius book 3 commentary

Gordon, the bibliographer of lucretius s poem, however, lists four commentaries in addition to that of lambinus before that date. On the nature of things is a philosophical work by the roman author titus lucretius carus whom we call lucretius. Lucretius, on the nature of things, book 3 english text. Lucretius titus lucretius carus lucretius oxford scholarly editions. Editions containing works of lucretius titus lucretius carus lucretius on atomic motion. He shows that this poem, aimed at promoting spiritual tranquillity, confronts two anxieties about death not addressed. The poem is divided into six books or sections and. Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library.

Study science in order to rid yourself of unneccesary fears, especially of the gods and death. This commentary locates lucretius in both the ancient and modern contexts, and treats lucretius ideas as very much alive rather than as historical concepts. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines. He shows that this poem, aimed at promoting spiritual tranquillity, confronts two anxieties about death not addressed in epicuruss abstract treatmentthe fear of the. Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. Epicureanism was a missionary philospohy, aiming to give man happiness by making him selfsufficient. This commentary on book iii of that work was a good introduction. Preface no one can set about tnnslating lucretius into english without finding his head full of the great work of h. But of course i admire lucretius and his predecessor, epicurus and his predecessor because he really buckled down and looked out at the world, and inside himself, and showed in his logic the possible fortitude of the human mind. Latinum lucretius book two page 1 commentary in latin.

Lucretius progressive revelation of nature in drn 1. Book iii in the third book, he describes the nature of the mind and the soul, commencing with a eulogy on epicurus, who taught that the world. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading lucretius. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines life.

Think of translations of lucretius as offering a set of commentaries on his poem. The world play is metonymic of lucretius s cosmology, fomenting constant etymological and linguistic collisions that engender new meanings. The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. Lucretius himself tripped up these editors, by principio. It features an introduction to lucretius s life and work by william ellery leonard, an introduction to and commentary on the poem by stanley barney smith, the complete. Despite the jumping around, this commentary provides and excellent amount of grammatical and vocabulary notes accompanied by an excellent supply of references to similar works of philosophy, mythology, and rhetoric provided in order that the reader may compare and contrast the prevalent ancient views on life and death, atomic and. Professor judith hallett, classics i seek to create a lucretius text useful for a high school classroom including a commentary on four sections of the poem. Itmight indeed be thought that with so fine a model in existence it is unnecessary and unprofitable to undertake the task again. The wonderer inna kunz, master of arts 2016 thesis directed by. Apart from lucretiuss poem almost nothing is known about him. In a fresh interpretation of lucretius s on the nature of things, charles segal reveals this great poetical account of epicurean philosophy as an important and profound document for the history of western attitudes toward death. 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. Now lucretius does not start with this fundamental principle. 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.

These set the stage for his explanation of the diversity of bodies. These capitula are mainly in latin, but some appear in greek or, in other copies, transliterated greek. And the poem as a whole returns at its close to the theme of death, with the disquieting passage on the frightful athenian plague during the peloponnesian war. On the nature of things by lucretius the internet classics archive. A commentary on propertius, book 3 bryn mawr classical. In a fresh interpretation of lucretiuss on the nature of things, charles segal reveals this great poetical account of epicurean philosophy as an important and profound document for the history of western attitudes toward death. The world play is metonymic of lucretiuss cosmology, fomenting constant etymological and linguistic collisions that engender new meanings. The title of lucretiuss work translates that of the chief work of epicurus, peri physeos on nature.

Lucretius begins each book of the poem in the high pathetic style genus grande, amplum, acre kenney 2007. Latinum lucretius book two page 1 commentary in latin youtube. Proem tis sweet, when, down the mighty main, the winds roll up its waste of waters, from the land to watch anothers labouring anguish far. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. On the nature of things is a philosophical work by the roman author titus lucretius carus whom. Leonards passionate introduction is a signal milestone in the history of the poems reception, while the notes in smiths commentary are a helpful guide to interpretation. Campbell has written a thoughtful and timely reassessment of lucretius engagement with his teleological opponents, as well as with preso. 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. The recent revival of creationismmakes this study particularly relevant to contemporary debate, and indeed, many of the central questions posed by creationists are those lucretius attempts to answer.

Inertia and scientific law in sixteenthcentury commentaries. In 1661, according to cohen, the only edition of lucretius available with a commentary was that of lambinus. On the nature of the universe book 4 throughout the first three books of on the nature of the universe lucretius walks a thin line between philosophy, science and poetry. 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. University of california press, 2008 the joan palevsky imprint in classical literature. The poem is the fullest extant statement of the physical theory of the greek philosopher epicurus. Commentary, books iv vi, addenda, indexes, bibliography. Lucretiuseditions and commentaries 1,024 words article table of contents. He lays out the argument really well and helps a great deal with certain idiosyncrasies founds in lucretian latin. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. This is a thoroughly professional commentary, long overdue, certainly the soundest available guide for anyone beginning to read lucretius, and all written with. Gordon, the bibliographer of lucretiuss poem, however, lists four commentaries in addition to that of lambinus before that date. Kenneys excellent commentary helped explain lucretius epicurean beliefs, satirical elements, and oddities of the authors style. John conington, commentary on vergils aeneid, volume 1, 5.

Prepared from the sphere library book, translated martin ferguson smith 1969. Further english commentaries on lucretius, chiefly designed for students, are on hand for books iii e. On the nature of things book iii great books of the. Very little is known of the poets life, though a sense of his character and personality emerges vividly from his poem. Home collectionstexts perseus catalog research grants open source about help. On the nature of things summary and study guide supersummary. On the nature of things work by lucretius britannica. The 1971 edition already revealed what is still today a thoroughly modern view of lucretius.

A couple of lines in book v lines 735 and 736, below help to make that point. Lucretius on creation and evolution, gordon campbells new commentary on some of the most interesting lines in lucretius story 5. Kenneys excellent commentary helped explain lucretius epicurean beliefs, satirical elements. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like fear of the gods and fear of death. In the first place, the study of lucretius has made considerable advances. For students approaching lucretius this remains the only commentary in english on the entire work in one volume.

Gordon lindsay campbell lucretius account of the origin of life, the origin of species, and human prehistory is the longest and most detailed account extant from the ancient world. It is therefore slightly disappointing to have an additional commentary on book iii rather than ii, which was last treated by the somewhat dated work of cyril bailey oxford, 1947. The first half closes, at the end of iii, with lucretius long and eloquent denunciation of the fear of death. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. Book 5 lines 772110 oxford classical monographs by campbell, gordon isbn. Godwins commentaries on books iv and vi warminster, 1986 and 1991, p. Lucretius latin is interesting, sometimes sublime, and always challenging. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Kenney writes an informative introduction to the poem as a whole, and book iiis role in the bigger picture.