The Nature of Things
Lucretius wrote this long philosophical poem, De Rerum Natura, in first-century BCE Rome to explain the universe in purely physical terms. Following Epicurus, he argues that everything is made of atoms moving in void, that the soul is mortal, and that fear of death and of the gods is therefore misplaced. It is science, philosophy, and poetry at once, ranging from the swerve of atoms to the origins of society and a famous closing account of plague. This edition presents an English verse translation. For a club it rewards slow reading and big conversation.