On the Nature of Things

On the Nature of Things is a first-century BC didactic poem by the Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius with the goal of explaining Epicurean philosophy to the Roman people. It is addressed to Gaius Memmius, a praetor and patron of Lucretius. Presented in this work is an argument for atomism, the assertion that it is not the Gods that are responsible for the happenings of the world, but rather atoms and voids. He continues with an examination of sensation, sex, cosmology, meteorology, and geology, all of these subjects made more attractive by the poetry with which he illustrates them. Lucretius also argues that death is simply the dissipation of the human mind, and that it is not something we should fear. On the Nature of Things is a detailed articulation of ancient thought-provoking debates which are still relevant today.