Lucretius, in full Titus Lucretius Carus, was a Roman poet and philosopher who wrote "De rerum natura" (On the Nature of Things), an epic poem widely regarded as one of the most influential works in the history of literature, philosophy, and science. In addition to his doctrinal and scientific impact, Lucretius exerted a profound influence on countless later philosophers and scientists.
Background
Very little is known about the life of Lucretius. He was born in 99 B.C., according to most accounts.
Lucretius is generally considered to have belonged to one of Rome's old aristocratic families, although some scholars have concluded from the name Carus that he was a slave in a Lucretian household or, at best, a freedman.
Career
Lucretius' only known work is his didactic epic poem, "De rerum natura" (On the Nature of Things), that consisted of six volumes and conveys the ideas of Epicureanism.
He wrote about diverse things such as atoms and the void, our modes of perception, and our will. He discussed the origin of the world and life, the causes of earthquakes while reflecting on art, language, science, and religion. The poem also talked about a variety of diverse scientific topics such as cosmology, mental illness, nutrition, clouds, the seasons, eclipses, magnet, and poisoning.
The poem begins with a famous invocation to Venus and sets out the major principles of Epicurean physics and cosmology.
Book 2 explains atomic motion and shapes.
Book 3 demonstrates the atomic structure and mortality of the soul.
Book 4 gives a comprehensive account of Epicurus’ theory of vision and sensation.
Book 5 begins with a tribute to Epicurus and is then concerned with cosmology and sociology, the poet explaining the creation of life on earth and the origin and development of civilization.
Book 6 concerns itself with explanations of meteorological and geologic phenomena, particularly thunderstorms, lightning, and volcanic eruptions.
Religion
First, Lucretius theorized unhappiness comes from fear of the gods. Second, he hypothesized that the universe was not made by any supernatural being. Third, he claimed there was no life after death.
Although Lucretius never came out and denied the existence of gods, he believed religion brought bondage to man.
Lucretius believed the universe was not made by any supernatural being. Not only does this one go against the Bible's words, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," it also flies in the face of the mythology of Rome, which held the universe was brought into order by a family of gods.
Contrary to these two belief systems, Lucretius held the universe to be a mixture of particles that have always existed. For this reason, everything that occurs in nature can be explained through natural laws and not the capriciousness of some heavenly god. Ocean storms do not rage because the Roman god, Neptune, is angry, and floods do not devastate because Noah's God is angry. To Lucretius, these things are simply the result of the regular, yet random, motion of atoms.
Lucretius believed there is no life after death. While Christianity teaches the body is temporal and the spirit is eternal, Lucretius would have disagreed. He reasoned that without the body, the mind and spirit cannot exist. To put it another way, the body is the vessel. Once the vessel is broken, the contents, or the spirit and mind, spill out and are no more.
In other words, the death of the body is the absolute end. There is no unseen heaven or hell; death is simply ceasing to exist. Again, this contradicts the Roman belief in the underworld and the Christian idea of heaven and hell.
Views
Lucretius believed in atomism. Atomism is the belief that simple, indivisible particles are the basic components of the universe. These basic components are called atoms, hence the name atomism. Although this may sound very modern, atomism finds its roots in ancient Greece and was heralded by the philosopher Epicurus. Epicurus took atomism and made it applicable to human life. He purported atoms, which are the building blocks of all nature, exist and function without the intervention of celestial gods or outside forces.
Although Lucretius never came out and denied the existence of gods, he believed religion brought bondage to man.
Quotations:
"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher."
"What is food to one man is bitter poison to others."
"What once sprung from the earth sinks back into the earth."
Connections
Many believe that Lucretius was married to a woman named Lucilia, but no concrete evidence is available to validate their marriage or relationship.