Titi Lvcreti Cari De Rervm Natura: (Liber I)

Abstract

Translation of the edition by Serafín Bodelón, of book I of De rerum natura by Lucretius, from the Hispanic codices Valentianus and Caesaraugustanus, which amends the text established by the edition: Lucrez, Über die Natur der Dinge. Lateinisch und Deutsch. Schriften und Quellen der Alten Welt (ed. Josef Martin). Berlin, Akademie-Verlag (DDR), 1972.

The entire book I can be considered an introduction to the work. From the model of invocation to the muses (hymn to Venus) the intention of the work is exposed: to eliminate the fear of the gods. The basic principles of the atomistic doctrine, the operators (atoms and vacuum) and the operations (nothing comes from nothing) are exposed. A critique is made of alternative theories to atomism and those with which it can be confused, atoms and the void are justified as principles of things.