ABSTRACT
Intriguing paradoxes confront the student of Lucretius. This foremost advocate of Epicurean tranquility composed the most passionate philosophical poetry of ancient times. Titus Lucretius Cams came from an ancient but not politically illustrious noble Roman clan. Born into an era of marked social upheaval, he shunned the customary life course of military service and political ambition. Instead, he devoted himself to the study of Greek philosophy and undertook to set forth the logical and ethical principles of the philosophy of Epicurus in the De Rerum Natura. The primary aim of the De Rerum Natura, as of Epicurean philosophy in general, is to dispel the fear of death that lays a heavy burden of anguish and depression on human beings and makes them engage in destructive and self-destructive behavior. The central theme of De Rerum Natura can be identified as the torment of insatiable passions.
