CLAS3325 · Classical Studies

Lucretius

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

The Roman poet Lucretius is one of the key figures in the history of Western philosophy, expounding in his work De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things) upon the primary tenets of Epicurean thought. In this course we will read selections from De Rerum Natura in Latin, aiming to acquire a greater knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary and to improve facility in reading Latin poetry. We will use Lucretius poem as a focal point to explore ancient Epicureanism, its views on human ethics and the workings of the physical world, its place within ancient philosophy more broadly, and its continuing relevance for modern thought.