Lucretius' poem On the Nature of the Universe combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. With intense moral fervour Lucretius demonstrates to humanity that in death there is nothing ot fear since the soul is mortal, and the world is governed by the mechanical laws of nature and not by gods; and that by believing this men can live in peace of mind and happiness. Lucretius bases his argument on the atomic theory expounded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus, and the poem explores sensation, sex, cosmology, meteorology, and geology with moving sympathy for man's place in the world. Ronald Melville's accessible and accurate verse translation is complemented by an introduction and notes placing Lucretius' scientific theories within the thought of first-century BCE Rome and Epicurean philosophy.
