With its extensive annotation and vocabulary, this book is designed to provide all the help required by the comparative beginner in Latin who is coming to Lucretius for the first time. At the same time the Introduction and Commentary are full enough to incorporate material of interest to the Lucretian specialist, and elucidates both the poetic artistry and philosophical content.

The first book of Lucretius claims attention not only on the strength of the famous introduction to the whole poem but because its treatment of atoms and void provides the fundamental basis on which the remaining books depend. Lucretius offers his readers a complete guide to happiness and a total tour of the universe. Even a few selections from his poetry reveal the radical freethinker at his very best.

Drawing on the latest research into the text and interpretation of Lucretius, this book is aimed at the sixth-former or undergraduate who seeks a helpful introduction to the poem; and very little background knowledge of Latin literature is assumed.