Synopses & Reviews
This book studies the structure and origins of De Rerum Natura (On the nature of things), the great first-century BC poem by Lucretius. By showing how he worked from the literary model set by the Greek poet Empedocles but under the philosophical inspiration of the Greek philosopher Epicurus, the book seeks to characterize Lucretius' unique poetic achivement. It is addressed to those interested both in Latin poetry and in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy.
Review
"...full of convincing individual arguments, and well worth reading." Classical World"David Sedley has done perhaps more than anyone elsse in recent years in showing the closeness of the relationship between Lucretius and Empedocles, and especially how Empedocles' Physics provides Lucretius with his main poetic model." Gordon Campbell, Bryn Mawr Classical Review"...Sedley's book is a great success, and forces the reader to rethink major questions about Lucretius' work." Phoenix"...one of the most exciting and engaging books on Lucretius that I have read. It is clearly and elegantly written and Sedley is careful to assess other points of view." Apeiron
Synopsis
This book studies the structure and origins of De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things), the great first-century BC poem by Lucretius.
Table of Contents
1. The Empedoclean opening; 2. Two languages, two worlds; 3. Lucretius the fundamentalist; 4. Epicurus, On Nature; 5. Lucretius' plan and its execution; 6. The imprint of Theophrastus; 7. The transformation of Book I; Epilogue.