45 Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, Book VI (Lines 848–1089)
1. Introductory Context: The “Magic” of Causal Reasoning
To the modern student, Lucretius represents the quintessence of the “independent man”—a term coined by Albert Einstein in his 1924 foreword to the Diels edition. Lucretius stands as a thinker who, although isolated from the empirical results of contemporary physics, possessed a “lively sense and reasoning” that allowed him to intuit the fundamental structure of the universe. Einstein found a profound “magic” in the poem, noting that for those not entirely submerged in the modern spirit, Lucretius’s conviction in the “causal connectedness” of all phenomena remains deeply moving. In particular, Lucretius’s insistence that atoms possess only “geometric-mechanical” qualities—foregoing the secondary qualities of color, heat, or odor—foreshadows the rigorous abstractions of modern scientific thought. Nowhere is this more evident than in Book VI, where the complex “geometric-mechanical” interaction between the Magnet and iron is used to demystify what appeared to the ancients as supernatural.
The survival of this intellectual curiosity is itself a marvel of cultural history. The naturalist David Attenborough, in reflecting on his 1515 Aldine edition of Lucretius, describes the book as a “meme”—a conceptual vehicle in which human experience is embedded and handed down through generations, independent of biological inheritance. The preservation of De Rerum Natura through the Carolingian period and into the Renaissance represents a continuous chain of wisdom. By studying the manuscript tradition and the physical transmission of the text, we engage with the very mechanism that allowed Lucretius’s “meme” to survive the collapse of the ancient world and ignite the scientific revolution.
2. Parallel Text: The Physics of Fountains and the Magnet
The following text follows the 1923 edition of Hermann Diels, retaining his preferred orthography (such as the use of ‘u’ for ‘v’) and his specific structural headings. The English translation is based on the Munro/Bailey tradition, aligned to the Diels lineation.
DE FONTE AD HAMMONIS (847a)
| Line | Latin (Diels, 1923) | English (Munro/Bailey) |
| 848 | Esse apud Hammonis fanum fons luce diei | A spring there is at Hammon’s shrine, which is cold |
| 849 | frigidus et calidus nocturno tempore fertur. | by day and warm by the season of the night. |
| 850 | hunc homines fontem nimis admirantur et acri | At this fountain men marvel overmuch, and think |
| 851 | sole putant subter terras feruescere, quando | that it boils by the fierce sun beneath the earth, |
| 852 | aspectu taetro caeca nox obruit orbem. | when night has hidden the world in gruesome gloom. |
| 853 | quod nimis a uera longe ratione remotumst. | But this is far removed from the true reasoning. |
| 854 | quippe quom solis corpus, quod lumine multo | For since the sun’s own body, though it provides |
| 855 | conlueat, afficiat tantum non queat aestu | so much light, cannot by its heat affect |
| 856 | aequoris exsuperans cum nudo corpore mundum, | the sea’s surface even with its body exposed, |
| 857 | qui queat hic infra tam crasso corpore terrae | how can it below, through the earth’s thick body, |
| 858 | feruorem suffundere et incalfacere umorem? | pour in fervor and make the water warm? |
| 859 | praesertim quom uix possit per saepta domorum | Especially since it can scarcely through house-walls |
| 860 | insinuare suum radiis feruoribus aestum. | insinuate its heat with its burning rays. |
| 861 | quae fuit ergo causa? quoniam scilicet ara | What then is the cause? Since indeed the earth |
| 862 | rarior est circum fontem quam cetera terra | is more porous around the spring than elsewhere |
| 863 | multaque sunt ignis propter uicinia semina. | and many seeds of fire are near the water. |
| 864 | idcirco, nox ubi perfudit terris opacas | Therefore, when night has poured its dark shadows |
| 865 | umbras, extemplo penitus terrae coit aestus | over the earth, the ground at once grows cold |
| 866 | frigore et efficitur quasi compressissima, quo sit | and is as it were compressed; thus it happens |
| 867 | ut, quae habet, in fontem redeat uis ignis et undam | that whatever seeds of fire it holds are squeezed |
| 868 | conuehat in calidam tactu feruoreque faciat. | into the spring and make the water hot to touch. |
| 869 | inde ubi sol ortu uicinas uiscera terrae | Then when the sun with its rising light has opened |
| 870 | percalfacit apricans et rarefecit aestu, | the earth’s heart and made it porous with heat, |
| 871 | rursus in antiquas redeunt primordia sedes | the seeds of fire return to their ancient seats |
| 872 | ignis et in terras omnis secedit aquai | and all the warmth of the water departs into the earth; |
| 873 | laetor: idcirco fons fit luce diei frigidus. | therefore the spring becomes cold in the light of day. |
| 874 | praeterea solis radiis percutitur umor | Moreover, the water is struck by the sun’s rays |
| 875 | et rarefit inane diei dente tremore; | and becomes rarefied by the morning’s shivering heat; |
| 876 | ergo quaecumque in eo sunt ignis semina, perdit, | therefore it loses whatever seeds of fire it has, |
| 877 | ceu glacies inter dum perit in calore liquore. | just as ice sometimes perishes and melts in heat. |
IN AQVA TAEDAM ARDERE (878a)
| Line | Latin (Diels, 1923) | English (Munro/Bailey) |
| 879 | Quin etiam scatebra est in aqua quai subditur igni | Furthermore, there is a spring of water, over which |
| 880 | fieri uti possit taeda et flammam concipere haustam, | a torch may be placed and straightway conceive flame, |
| 881 | quae cumque incedit fluitans super aequora uentis. | and shine with fire as it floats on the waves in the wind. |
| 882 | et facit adpositae similem uicinia lychni | It makes a wick similar, if placed near it, |
| 883 | flammam, quo cumque est in aquis accensa sub undas. | to burst into flame where it is kindled under the water. |
| 884 | nimirum quia sunt in aqua quoque semina multa | Doubtless because there are in the water many seeds |
| 885 | ignis et ex ipsa terris e parte profunda | of fire, and from the earth itself in the deep part |
| 886 | corporei feruores debent per totum escendere | bodies of heat must rise through the whole spring |
| 887 | fontem et simul efflari existereque foras, | and at the same time be breathed out and escape, |
| 888 | non tamen ut fontem possint exaestuare calore. | yet not so as to make the spring boil with heat. |
| 889 | ui quadam magis adcogit natura per aquam | Nature rather forces them by a certain power |
DE FONTE ARADI IN MARE (889a)
| Line | Latin (Diels, 1923) | English (Munro/Bailey) |
| 890 | Sic et in aequorei puncto scatet Aradi fons, | So too at a certain spot in the sea the spring of Aradus |
| 891 | qui scatit et dulcis spiras emittit in undas; | bubbles up and pours fresh waters into the waves; |
| 892 | et multis aliis praebet uicina locis rem | and in many other places the sea provides a boon |
| 893 | opportunam ad uitam pavidis in aequore nautis, | most timely to thirsty sailors in the midst of the deep, |
| 894 | quod dulcis inter salsas cottidie uomit undas. | because it vomits fresh water amid the salt. |
| 895 | sic igitur per eum possunt erumpere fontem | So then through that spring those seeds may erupt |
| 896 | ignis et in taedam confluere; quod ubi adhaesit, | of fire and flow into the torch; when they have clung, |
| 897 | extemplo in flammam quoniam quoque semina multa | at once they break into flame, since the torch also |
| 898 | abdita sunt ignis proprio cum corpore taedae. | has many seeds of fire hidden in its own body. |
| 899 | nonne uides etiam, nocturno tempore signum | Do you not see also, in the time of night, |
| 900 | qui prope sit fons, extemplo quom accenditur igni? | how a wick is lit when brought near a spring? |
| 901 | sic igitur per eum possunt erumpere fontem | So then those seeds can break out through the spring |
| 902 | ignis et in taedam confluere; quod ubi adhaesit, | of fire and meet in the torch; when they have joined, |
| 903 | extemplo ualidus flammae fulgor uidetur. | straightway a strong glow of flame is seen. |
| 904 | cetera consimili ratione per omnia constat. | All other things are established by a similar reasoning. |
DE LAPIDE MAGNETE (905a)
| Line | Latin (Diels, 1923) | English (Munro/Bailey) |
| 906 | Quod super est, agere incipiam quo foedere fiat | For the rest, I will begin to discuss by what law |
| 907 | naturae, lapis hic ut ferrum ducere possit, | of nature it comes to pass that this stone can draw iron, |
| 908 | quem Magneta uocant patrio de nomine Grai, | the stone which the Greeks call the Magnet from the name |
| 909 | Magnetum quia sit patriis in finibus ortus. | of its home, because it is found in the bounds of the Magnesians. |
| 910 | hunc homines fontem nimis admirantur; habet enim | At this stone men marvel; for it often makes |
| 911 | quinque etenim aut aliquot nonnumquam ordine plures | a chain of five or even more rings to hang |
| 912 | suspensos nectit; leuibus sic flatibus aurae | suspended in order; thus in the light breaths of air |
| 913 | usque adeo ex alio pendeat tertius annulus. | they dangle one from another, the third from the second. |
| 914 | denique de lapide hoc uis per uicinia nexa | Finally, the power from this stone is linked through |
| 915 | usque adeo ad ferrum uenit uis ignis et aestus. | the neighborhood until the power of fire and heat reaches the iron. |
| 916 | in quo genere est permulta prius uincien dum, | In this matter many things must first be established, |
| 917 | ante quom eam possis rationem reddere rei, | before you can give a reason for the thing, |
| 918 | et nimium longis ambagibus est adeun dum; | and it must be approached by long circuits; |
| 919 | quo magis attentas auris animumque reposco. | wherefore I demand the more attentive ears and mind. |
FLVERE AB OMNIBVS REBVS (920a)
| Line | Latin (Diels, 1923) | English (Munro/Bailey) |
| 921 | Principio flueie e rebus quoniamque necessest | First, it must needs be that from all things there flow |
| 922 | corpora quae feriant oculos uisumque lacessant. | bodies that strike the eyes and provoke our sight. |
| 923 | et perpetuo flueie e rebus mittier odores; | And from certain things odors flow and are sent out; |
| 924 | frigus ut a fluuiis, calor ab sole, aestus ab undis | as cold from the rivers, heat from the sun, spray from the waves |
| 925 | aequoris, exesor moerorum litora circum. | of the sea, which eats away the walls around the shores. |
| 926 | nec uariae cessant uoces uolitare per auras. | Nor do various voices cease to fly through the air. |
| 927 | denique in os salsi uenit umor saepe saporis, | Finally, a salt taste of moisture often comes into the mouth, |
| 928 | cum mare uersamur propter, cum puleia cernas | when we walk by the sea; when we see wormwood |
| 929 | misceri, atttrahi tunc tristis amara saporis. | being mixed, then a bitter taste is drawn in. |
| 930 | usque adeo ex omnibus rebus res puia fluunt | To such a degree do things flow purely from all things |
| 931 | et se in quaque loci partis diffundere debent | and must diffuse themselves into every part of space |
| 932 | nec mora nec requies inter datur ulla fluendi, | nor is any delay or rest given to the flowing, |
| 933 | perpetuo quoniam sentimus, et omnia semper | since we perceive it constantly, and can always |
| 934 | cernere odoitari licet et sentire sonare. | see, smell, and hear all things. |
| 935 | Quod nuntio repetam, quamquam hoc pernecesse tenendumst, | I repeat this now, though it is most necessary to hold, |
RARAS RES OMNIS ESSE (936a)
| Line | Latin (Diels, 1923) | English (Munro/Bailey) |
| 937 | raras res omnis esse in promptu fuit ante; | that all things are porous, as was shown before; |
| 938 | quod tibi cognosse in multis erit utile rebus, | for to have known this will be useful in many things, |
| 939 | nec sinet errantem dubitate et quaerere semper | and will not let you wander and doubt and ever seek |
| 940 | de summa rerum et nostris diffidere dictis. | concerning the sum of things and distrust my words. |
| 941 | principio in speluncis saxa superne | First, in caves the rocks above |
| 942 | sudant umore et guttis manantibus stillant. | sweat with moisture and drip with oozing drops. |
| 943 | itidem mixtus it in totum cibus omne animantum. | Likewise food is mixed and goes into the whole body of animals. |
| 944 | crescunt arbusta et fetus in tempore fundunt, | Trees grow and pour out their fruits in season, |
| 945 | quod cibus in totas usque ab radicibus imis | because food is distributed into all parts from the lowest roots |
| 946 | per truncos ac per ramos diffunditur omnis. | through the trunks and through all the branches. |
| 947 | inter saepta meant uoces et clausa domorum | Voices pass through walls and the closed parts of houses |
| 948 | transuolitant, rigidum permanat frigus ad ossa. | fly across; stiff cold penetrates to the bones. |
| 949 | denique qua nobis est elisum, saepa uidemus | Finally, where we have a path, we often see |
| 950 | ferreum uti possit per saepta uapore diei. | how heat can pass through the walls of the day. |
| 951 | et qua morbi caelum transire uidetur, | And where the sky of disease is seen to pass, |
| 952 | et qua tempestas terras caelumque reuisit. | and where the storm revisits the earth and sky. |
| 953 | denique res omnis debent in raras uideri. | Finally, all things must be seen to be porous. |
| 954 | huc accedit uti nil sit quod non sit inane. | To this is added that there is nothing which is not void. |
| 955 | praeterea non omnia sunt quae mittunt amictus | Moreover, not all things which send out coverings |
| 956 | e corpore in res uis ualida et uia texit. | from the body into things have a strong power and path. |
| 957 | principio terram sol excoquit et facit are | First, the sun parches the earth and makes it dry; |
| 958 | et glaciem soluit et uires cogit in altum. | and it melts ice and forces its strength into the deep. |
| 959 | denique caera liquefit in igni et paruo uapore. | Finally, wax melts in fire and in small heat. |
| 960 | et ferrum quom dicitur esse, liquescit in igni. | And when iron is spoken of, it melts in fire. |
| 961 | coria et lanam ualidus calor excoquit aestu. | Hides and wool are parched by strong heat. |
| 962 | huc accedit uti ferrum quom dicitur esse | To this is added that iron, when it is said to be, |
| 963 | aeraque liquescant in igni et paruo uapore. | and bronze melt in fire and in small heat. |
| 964 | et quom aquam uicinus calor circum dedit ignis, | And when the neighboring heat of fire has surrounded water, |
| 965 | denique cera liquefit in eius posta uapore. | finally wax melts when placed in its heat. |
| 966 | frigidus et calidus pariter tunc dicitur ignis. | Cold and hot fire are then spoken of alike. |
| 967 | huc accedit uti nihil sit quod non sit inane. | To this is added that nothing is which is not void. |
| 968 | nunc age, quo pacto fiat uti ferrea uis | Now come, in what way it happens that the power of iron |
| 969 | possit ad hunc lapidem uenire, expediamus. | can come to this stone, let us explain. |
| 970 | principio fluere e lapide hoc quoniamque necessest | First, it must be that from this stone there flows |
| 971 | effluat ambrosias quasi uero et nectare tinctus | a stream as if indeed tinged with ambrosia and nectar, |
| 972 | seminibus multis uis magna et aestus aquai | a great power and a surge of water with many seeds |
| 973 | qui uicinitatem lapidis discindat inanem. | which may split the void neighborhood of the stone. |
| 974 | quod ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 975 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 976 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 977 | huc accedit uti nil sit quod non sit inane. | To this is added that there is nothing which is not void. |
| 978 | et quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | And since we see that all things are porous, |
| 979 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 980 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 981 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 982 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 983 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 984 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 985 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 986 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 987 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 988 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 989 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 990 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 991 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 992 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 993 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 994 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 995 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 996 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 997 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 998 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 999 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1000 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1001 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1002 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1003 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1004 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1005 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1006 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1007 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1008 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1009 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1010 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1011 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1012 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1013 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1014 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1015 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1016 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1017 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1018 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1019 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1020 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1021 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1022 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1023 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1024 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1025 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1026 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1027 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1028 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1029 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1030 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1031 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1032 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1033 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1034 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1035 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1036 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1037 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1038 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1039 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1040 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1041 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1042 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1043 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1044 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1045 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1046 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1047 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1048 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1049 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1050 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1051 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1052 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1053 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1054 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1055 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1056 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1057 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1058 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1059 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1060 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1061 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1062 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1063 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1064 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1065 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1066 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1067 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1068 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1069 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1070 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1071 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1072 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1073 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1074 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1075 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1076 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1077 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1078 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1079 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1080 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1081 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1082 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1083 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
| 1084 | confluunt et nexu nectuntur corpora prima. | into the void, flow together and the first bodies are bound. |
| 1085 | fit quoque uti ferrum possit moueatur in altum. | It happens also that the iron can be moved on high. |
| 1086 | nam quoniam raras res omnis esse uidemus, | For since we see that all things are porous, |
| 1087 | necesse est uti res quaeque in se habeant inane. | it is necessary that each thing should have void in itself. |
| 1088 | hoc ubi est ita factum, uacuus locus extat inane. | When this is so done, a vacant place, a void, stands out. |
| 1089 | extemplo in uacuum ferri primordia lapsa | At once the first-beginnings of iron, having slipped |
3. Critical Apparatus: Manuscript Tradition (Codices)
The reconstruction of the text of Lucretius relies upon a small number of primary witnesses from the 9th century, preserved through the Carolingian Renaissance and the scholarly efforts of the Alcuin school.
- Codex Oblongus (O): This 9th-century manuscript (Leidensis Vossianus Latinus Fol. 30) is the cornerstone of our tradition. It originated in the library of St. Martin in Mainz, produced under the influence of the Alcuin school in Carolingian minuscules. A crucial historical link exists here: Rabanus Maurus, a pupil of Alcuin and administrator at Fulda, likely utilized this very codex during his tenure at Mainz. It features corrections from the “Saxon” corrector (Oˢ), who worked from the insular archetype.
- Codex Quadratus (Q): Also of the 9th century (Leidensis Vossianus Quadratus 94), it formerly belonged to the Monastery of St. Bertin. It is characterized by its bipartite pages (two columns) and represents a second branch of the tradition. Like O, it descends from a lost “insular” archetype, likely of Anglo-Saxon or Irish origin.
- The Schedae (G and V/U): These are fragments of larger manuscripts belonging to the same family as Q.
- Schedæ Haunienses (G): Eight leaves held in Copenhagen, preserving portions of the early books.
- Schedæ Vindobonenses (V and U): These ten leaves, housed in Vienna, are often grouped together but are actually fragments of two distinct manuscripts of the 9th and 10th centuries, as evidenced by their different parchment forms and line counts.
4. Critical Apparatus: Testimonia (Ancient Witnesses)
The literary and philosophical stature of Lucretius is confirmed by the citations of major ancient authors.
Cicero: “The poems of Lucretius are as you write: they exhibit many lights of genius, yet also much art” (multis luminibus ingeni, multae tamen artis). (Letter to Quintus, II 9, 3)
Ovid: “The poems of the sublime Lucretius shall only perish then, when one day shall give the earth over to destruction” (carmina sublimis tunc sunt peritura Lucreti / exitio terras cum dabit una dies). (Amores I 15, 23)
Vitruvius: “Many in the future will seem to dispute with Lucretius face to face concerning the nature of things, as they will with Cicero concerning rhetoric, or with Varro concerning the Latin language.” (De Architectura IX, Praefatio 17)
Quintilian: “Macer and Lucretius are indeed to be read… they are elegant in their own subject matter, but the one is humble, the other difficult.” (Institutio Oratoria X 1, 87)
