On the Nature of Things (De Rerum Natura)

On the Nature of Things by Roman philosopher and poet Lucretius outlines classical theories of physics and the natural world. Drawing on the atomism theory of Democritus, which dates over 400 years prior to his masterwork, Lucretius aim with his poem is to explain various theories on why the world is as it is. Designed to be read publicly by educators and by solitary readers, the wide ranging and lengthy poem examines the nature of existence, of sensation, of human consciousness, and of the celestial bodies above us. Conversations on matter, space and reality were unusual in ancient times, with many ordinary citizens encouraged to lay the responsibility for such with the Roman Gods. In writing this poem, Lucretius aimed to popularise the theories and explanations of individual physicists and thinkers, over those of the temple priests. Lucretius himself held logic and reason in high regard, championing the philosophers who sought to discover and refine their view of the world.