Lucretius

by John Godwin

Overview

The Roman poet Lucretius, who lived in the first century BC, composed an epic poem, De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of the Universe), whose avowed purpose was to change the way we live our lives, to abandon our fear of the gods and of death, and to see what real happiness is and how to obtain it. The poem explains the atomic nature of the world and our own place in it, examining the microscopic world of atoms and the telescopic world of the universe, as well as human life in all its facets - politics, pleasure, the nature of perception, our dreams and sexual behaviour. Here John Godwin explains Lucretius' great poem in its Roman context, assessing the literary and philosophical value of the poems and arguing the merits of the poet's claim to change our lives. Lucretius is seen as a writer for our time, offering us a text of enormous beauty and artistry which will help us find happiness and serenity in a turbulent world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781853996719
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/02/2004
Series:	Ancients in Action
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	8.27(w) x 11.69(h) x 0.31(d)

About the Author

John Godwin is Head of Classics at Shrewsbury School. He is the author of editions of Books 4 and 6 of Lucretius' De Rerum Natura, a selection of passages from Lucretius, and a complete edition of Catullus' poems. He also revised the Penguin Classics translation of the whole of Lucretius' poem.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. The Writer and his Word
2. The Poem
3. The Greatest Show on Earth
4. The Naturalist and the Grim Reaper Further Reading Index

Editorial Reviews

Lucretius is a biography of the Roman poet Lucretius, who lived in the first century BC and composed an epic poem, De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things) meant to motivate people to change how they lived their lives, abandon fear of the gods and death, and work toward obtaining true happiness. Examining the particulate nature of the world and human's role in it, De Rerum Natura is a philosophical masterpiece; expert translator and Shrewsbury School Head of Classics John Godwin discusses the nuances of its work, both in the context of its era and in its transcendental message about positive change. By gathering all that is known of Lucretius, the fullness of his poem can best be framed against the background of the visionary who wrote it and the world he lived in. A highly recommended to both classical literature and biography shelves.” —Midwest BookWatch

From the Publisher