The permanent value of the work of Lucretius is not due to its scientific discussions. though it is to these that the greater part of the poem is devoted. It is true that the atomic theory of Democritus and Epicurus ( Lucretius did not himself make any contribution) has proved to he the most fruitful of all ancient physical theories. and that many of the general principles enunciat ed in the first two books of the poem are in striking accord with modern science; true, also, that the brilliant outline of anthropology given in the fifth book still seems essentially correct. But in countless details he is wrong, even absurdly wrong. Scientific method was as yet little under stood: and Lucretius, in this respect. was not in advance of his time. He possesses, however, in high, degree the scientific temper and the scientific imagination. No thinker has more firmly grasped the universality of law, none takes greater delight in the discovery of facts and the determination of their meaning and connection. Almost alone among the Romans, he has an in born taste and capacity for philosophical specula tion, and his mind moves through the intricacies of a subtle argument with a sureness that rouses one's admiration.
Neither is the special merit of Lucretius to be found in his literary art, although the De I?(rum Natura is a splendid monument of pure and virile Latinity. He was evidently a wide reader both in Greek and in Latin, and well versed in the traditions of the poet's craft. The diction and rhythm of Ennius, in particular, had a great attractiveness for him. and the poem of Ent pedo•les On Nature probably determined the form of his own. While he himself avowedly regards his poetry as merely a help to the effective ex position of his philosophy, the numerous digres sions, in which he has expressed his deepest mus ings on human life, as well as countless touches in the scientific portion proper, all reveal poetical powers of the highest order. The cadence of the hexameter lacks, of course, the music and variety that Vergil was to put into it. The verse is some
times monotonous. but more often its ruggedness and majesty barmonize admirably with the thought.
Lucretius was an earnest seeker for the truth. but it was in the spirit of the typical Roman, for a definite practical end. the emancipation of mankind from the bondage of superstition. Against the anthropomorphic deities of popular religion, arbitrary and vengeful, he wages war with a fervor. or rather fury, that is almost startling. Epicureanism seem; to him 'a healing gospel.' and he its preacher. But the seriousness and exaltation of his nature makes of it really a new philosophy. Life has too solemn a meaning to he spent in the quest of pleasure, however re fined. Fortitude and renunciation are its true watchwords. The enduring interest of the poem is thus a psychological one. and is due to the unconscious self-portrayal of one of the noblest minds in history.
The cditio prinrcps was published at Brescia in 1473. The most important of the early editions are the first Aldine (1500), edited by Avancius, the (Iiunta (1512), by Candidus, and those of Lambinus I Paris, 151;3; 3d ed. 1570). But all modern editions are based on that of Laehmann 1 Berlin. Is50; 4th ed. of the text, 1s71; of the commentary, Iss2 ). The text was f r Tenbner by Iternay, i Leipzig. Is52), and by Itricger I Leipzig. Is04: •41 ed. Is99). The mo,t helpful to-day are those of IL A. .1. (3 vol,., text, commentary. Inuslation; 4th cif London. Iss0) and C. Giussani 1." text and commentary, with good introductory essays; Turin, ISMI-97). The following will be found of special Th. mman Poets of the llepublie (Oxford, 1 ss I t : :Martha, Le poetize de Lucrece ( 1ti731 : Zeller( Stoics, Epiruaa as. and ies, trans. by lteiehel ( 188(o ; Lange, History of .flat, trans. by Thalia: 1lto,ton, ls`)1 ; Masson. The A tonic Theory of Lucretius (London. IsS'4); Wallace, Epicureanism (London, 1 ss0). -me. also, Tennyson's poem Lucretius, and W. II. Alallock, Lurretius an Life and Death.