A History of Roman Literature

(?) B. C.-Philosophy at Rome-The poem of

xternal matters this was a time of great unrest. Sulla's dictatorship, which seemed to put an end to strife, served only to strengthen the power of the senate, not to diminish its abuses; the increase of the slave population of Italy still continued to drive the freeborn farmers to Rome to swell the number of the city rabble; the slaves themselves broke out into open war; the prov

language had become a proper medium of expression in prose and verse, though its natural qualities of rigidity and precision made it always better adapted to the needs of the commander, orator, jurist, and historian than to the lighter and more varied uses of the poet. Among the poets of the time, some followed in the footsteps of Ennius, while others imitated the poem

not agree with the statement of Jerome. Cicero, in a letter written in February, 54 B. C.,20 mentions the poems of Lucretius, but says nothing about correcting or editing them. This is the only contemporary reference to Lucretius or his work. Now the great poem of Lucretius was evidently never entirely finished by its author, who was therefore probably dead when Cicero wrote this letter. The date (55 B. C.) for his death is thus corroborated. The date of his birth must remain uncertain, but

o Africanus, and were clearly congenial to the Roman temperament; for the Stoics taught that virtue is the highest good, that nothing else is worth striving for, and that the ordinary pleasures of life are mere interruptions of the philosopher's peace. The Epicurean doctrine, that pleasure is the highest good, was popular only with those who wished to devote themselves to selfish and physical enjoyment, for the higher aspects of the doctrines of Epicurus were not understood. As early

and Lucretius is thoroughly in earnest. If he adopts the poetic form, it is in order to make his presentation of the doctrines more attractive, in the hope that it will thus have gr

what remaineth

Well in my o

is obscure; b

ruck my heart wi

blow implante

of the Muses, f

esh mind through

rides, unt

l's foot. 'T

ew and drink;

ow'rs and seek

d, whence ne'e

ned for any m

ause I teach o

ourse to set t

ion's closely

use concernin

lucid verses,

grace. Then, too

eason; but as

s to give the

e edges round

liquid of th

s careless age

he lips, and m

tter herb, and

med, but rathe

strength, so I n

for the most

not familiar,

it, have wished

weetly speaking

ith the Muses'

ed. In Book ii it is explained how the atoms combine to form the various things in the world, because as they fall through space they depart from a straight line and come in contact with each other. It is also shown that the atoms, although infinite in number, are limited in variety. In Book iii the mind and the soul, or principle of life, are shown to be mate

is naught, co

s nature is as

escribed, the beginning of life is explained, and the progress of civilization, from the time when men were savages, is depicted. Some passages in this book anticipate in a measure the modern doctrine of the survival of the fittest. Since our world was not created, but came into being naturally by the com

being and are to pass away without any action of the gods, ethical doctrines are not systematically treated. Lucretius accepts, however, the Epicurean dogma th

nds of men, oh

ades of life a

e'er of age we

ature makes de

pain be absent

ed from care at

leasure in the

us, which opens the fifth book, he says

n not live with

ssion, qualities which would naturally awaken admiration in the mind of Lucretius. His reading, observation, and love of nature. That Lucretius was well acquainted with the great works of Greek literature and with the writings of N?vius, Ennius, Pacuvius, Lucilius, and Accius, is evident from direct references to them, or imitations of them. But h

ith an invocation to Venus, which is

hom descends t

h and heaven s

t all beneath

grain and seas w

erishest! Where

h decks her wi

ent; clouds and

ht smiles over

ng of Book ii, which has been transla

's water is stirred to it

descry one afar off

s sorrow to you yiel

a sweetness, of ills o

hold, on a broad pla

t battle, one's self u

this: To possess,

the sages which have

fellows, observe them

aths, poor straggler

th mind, and escutch

e, which is waged 'neath

e surface whereon res

r Latin author, but in other parts long passages are dull and monotonous. Yet even in these parts the verses have a serious, dignified music, the language is carefully chosen, and the subject is treated with consistency, clearness, and vigor. In the more animated portions of his work, Lucretius speaks almost like an inspired prophet. His thought hurries his lines along with increasing impetus,

oncrete facts, but the method of his reasoning is unlike that of modern science. Lucretius, like other philosophers of ancient times, having once accepted a theory which explains certain phenomena, makes his theory the rule by which all phenomena are to be measured and in accordance with which they are to be understood. It is interesting to note that Lucretius, following Democritus and Epicurus, antic

His subject is too abstruse and his style too austere and dignified to appeal to the taste of the masses, which probably acco