This was a long poem. Lucretius was a Roman and wrote the epic poem in Latin verse. He said that his purpose for writing it in verse was to teach the people about the Nature of Things or in other words about science to relieve them from their superstitions and dependence on making sacrifices and performing rituals to the Gods. I'm sure it is more interesting in Latin. Maybe my children will be able to appreciate it in Latin some day, maybe I will. I listened to all of it while I did the dishes and cleaned and folded clothes. I think it was about 12 hours long. I wasn't sure I was getting a lot out of it, but I persevered and I'm glad I did.
He talked about atoms and void and matter. So now I know where these ideas first came from. It's interesting to know now what we do about atoms and molecules and how there really is no void. He also talked about the soul and body and how the body is nothing without the soul and how the mind can affect the body. He talked about the weather and although he was really putting down the polytheistic religion of his time, he did believe in God- an all powerful being. His study of nature and science moved him to believe in something more that the polytheistic rituals of his day. It was interesting to listen to how he attacked those beliefs and eventually followed Nature and Science to God.
I'm sorry I can't write more or a better post about this, but it is similar to the way I am studying these works. I am not delving deep into them and the philosophies. I am just getting a general understanding and overview of each of the works I study. I don't take notes, because I really don't have time to sit and read, listening is much more time productive for me, but it is better than nothing. Hopefully this short essay gives you some understanding. Who nowadays even knows who Lucretius is?
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