On the Nature of Things by CARUS, Titus Lucretius
Summary: Written in the first century b.C., On the Nature of Things (in Latin, De Rerum Natura) is a poem in six books that aims at explaining the Epicurean philosophy to the Roman audience. Among digressions about the importance of philosophy in men's life and praises of Epicurus, Lucretius created a solid treatise on the atomic theory, the falseness of religion and many kinds of natural phenomena. With no harm to his philosophical scope, the author composed a didactic poem of epic flavor, of which the imagery and style are highly praised. (Summary by Leni)
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15 - Book 5, pt 3 - The rudeness of the early life of men. The invention of speech.The discovery of fire, the progress of society. The rise of religion from ignorance of natural causes. The discovery of metals and the progress of the arts.
16 - Book 6, pt 1 - Panegyric on Athens. Meteoric appearances in the heaven. Causes of shooting stars, lightning, thunderbolts. Ridicule of those who attribute the origin of the storms to gods.
17 - Book 6, pt. 2 - Origin of water-spouts, clouds, rain, rainbow, earthquakes and other phenomena. About the seas and volcanoes. About rivers and lakes.
18 - Book 6, pt. 3 - About the temperature of waters. About magnets and why metals are attracted to them. About the origin and cause of diseases. Description of the plague that depopulated Athens during the Peloponnesian war.
