Lucretius' On the Nature of Things

Overview

Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura (“On the Nature of Things”), his only surviving work, aligns with the Epicurean philosophy against divine intervention, specifically in the context of natural disasters. This book represents the primary source of modern knowledge on Epicurean thought, and it played an important role in the development of Atomism. Lucretius’ purpose was to expand the scientific theories of his contemporary Greek philosophers, while dispelling fear of the gods and death. In this way, Lucretius enabled his readers to attain peace of mind and happiness. His work had a significant impact on the philosophy and literature of his age, and it’s reflected in the writings of Virgil, Cicero, and Horace.

The Logos edition of On the Nature of Things is part of the Loeb Classical Library series and includes its original Latin text with an English translation for side-by-side comparison. Use Logos’ language tools to go deeper into the Latin text with definitions, synonyms, and pronunciation tools for every word. You can also use the dictionary lookup tool to examine the translation’s difficult English words. Automatic syncing between devices lets you take Lucretius with you without ever wasting time looking for where you left off.