David Sedley, Christ's College, University of Cambridge Meticulous, judicious and reader-friendly in equal measure, it embodies the fruits of a lifetime's study of Lucretius' poetic masterpiece.' 'For anyone concerned to understand the Epicurean philosophical tradition from the inside, the republication, in an updated version, of Martin Ferguson Smith's little-known translation of Lucretius is welcome news. Smith has incorporated the most recent research, including the new discoveries of Epicurean materials from Herculaneum.' The background on what is known of Lucretius' life, contemporary events, and Epicureanism is all very helpful. It provides the basic information to the non-specialist reader without overburdening him or her with excessive details. 'The translation is accurate, clear, readable, and vigorous. But of course, the translation is the most important part of the work. Smith outlines in a highly accessible manner what little is known of Lucretius' life and times, the poem's position and status in the Epic and Didactic tradition, and the philosophy of Epicurus that Lucretius puts forward, but also manages to include some of the most up to date research, including recent scholarship on the Herculaneum papyri. We should expect from the beginning then that we are in the hands of a wise and learned guide as soon as we open his Lucretius, and this expectation is certainly borne out by the quality of this sensitive and thoughtful edition. 'Martin Ferguson Smith has for many years been one of the leading Lucretian scholars in the world.

For this edition, Professor Smith provides a revised translation, new Introduction, headnotes and bibliography. Readers will share our excitement in the discovery of this accurate and fluent prose rendering. However, his 1969 translation of De Rerum Natura-long out of print-is virtually unknown. Martin Ferguson Smith's work on Lucretius is both well known and highly regarded. Ordering Titles in the Lingua Latina per se Illustrata Series.Ordering for Customers & Booksellers Outside of the U.S.Ordering for Customers & Booksellers in the U.S.Request Instructor Resources, Manuals, and Answer Keys (For Select Titles).The Western Literary Tradition Anthologies.Passages: Key Moments in History Series.Critical Themes in World History Series.Medieval, Renaissance, & Reformation History.Latin American & Caribbean Literature & History.American Intellectual History & Political Thought.Studies in Classical Language & Literature.

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