T. Lucretius Carus, Of the nature of things, in six books
This poem by Lucretius combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with poetry. With intense moral fervour he demonstrates to humanity that in death there is nothing to fear since the soul is mortal, and the world and everything in it 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. He bases this argument on the atomic theory expounded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus, and the poem explores sensation, sex, cosmology, meteorology, and geology with sympathy for man's place in the world. All of these subjects are made more attractive by the poetry with which he illustrates them. The Introduction gives full details of the little that is known of Lucretius' life and background in 1st century BCE Rome, and also of the Epicurean philosophy that was his inspiration. It also explores why the issues Lucretius' poem raises about the scientific and poetical views of the world continue to be important
Print Book, English, MDCCIV [1714]
Printed by J. Matthews for G. Sawbridge ..., and sold by J. Churchill and W. Taylor ..., London, MDCCIV [1714]
Poetry
2 volumes : 1 illustration ; 20 cm (8vo)
1220470
Bound in two volumes, the second of which has its own t. p. (dated 1714) and preface (signed [a]0 after which signatures and pagination continue from the previous volume
Vol. [1] has title vignette. some issues have Minerva Londinensis, others, a bowl of flowers
Pagination: v. [1]: ([74],424 p., [1] leaf of plates; v. 2: [8] p., p. 425-822, [34] p
Vol. 1 reissued in 1715; identical to the 1714 publication except for "MDCCXV" [1715] on t.p. instead of "MDCCIV" [1714]
Vol. 2 has title: T. Lucretius Carus, Of the nature of things; and variant publisher statement: "Printed by John Matthews, for George Sawbridge ..." (without names of booksellers)
Pages 244-245 misnumbered 144-145
Includes index
Translated from the Latin