Syllabus
I. Introduction 14. 2. Prolegomena
See my introduction to Lucretius (in Czech) https://youtu.be/3e6yD-EF93k
What do we know about Lucretius? And Epicurus?
Sources for the reconstruction of Epicureanism
A basic outline of Epicureanism (canonics, physics, ethics)
Structure of the DRN
The manuscript tradition of the DRN
II. Atomism 21. 2. Atoms
Exposé: materies, spatium (plenum/inane), corpus, primordia (corpora prima...), minima (minimae partes), concilia, coniuncta, eventa
Atoms are invisible but do exist: 1.305–328.
Nothing comes out of nothing (nullam rem ex nihilo gigni divinitus umquam): 1.159–191.
Nothing vanishes absolutely (into nothing): 1.250–264.
Coniuncta and eventa: 1.449–463 (i.e. 87 verses) 28. 2. Motion
Exposé: three types of atomic motion (gravitas, plaga, clinamen)
Atomic motion compared to dust: 2.112–124.
Motion is impossible without void: 1.370–383.
Why the things seem to be still, though the atoms are in constant motion: 2.308–332 (i.e. 52 verses).
III. Ethics - Materiality and mortality of soul 7. 3. Animus (mens) and anima are body parts, they are corporeal
Animus and anima are body parts: 3.94–97.
Corporeality of animus and anima: 3.136–202 (i.e. 71 verses). 14. 3. Mortality of animus and anima, consolation
Animus coevolves with body, gets drunk, gets ill, therefore changes and is mortal: 3.445–486.
Our death does not pertain to us: 3.830–842.
Melancholy at the banquets: 3.912–915.
Lamentation and consolation: 3.894–903 (i.e. 69 verses).
IV. Optics 21. 3. Simulacra
At the surface of things, there are thin layers of atoms (simulacra) that are responsible for seeing: 4.26–43
Analogies of simulacra: 4.54–64
The swiftness of simulacra: 4.209–215
How to explain perspective: 4.239–255
Rebuke of a rival theory of vision: 3.359–361 + 367–369 (i.e. 69 verses) 28. 3. Optical illusions
Examples: 4.364–419
Explanation: 4.462–468 (i.e. 63 verses)
V. Evolution of human society: 9. 4. First people
Animal life: 5.925–972.
Comparison of animal and civilized life: 5.988-1010. (i.e. 71 verses) 4. 4. Early evolution
Family, house: 5.1011–1027.
Fire, cities, kings, money: 5.1091–1134. (i.e. 51 verses) 11. 4. Later evolution I
Laws, republics: 5.1135–1160.
Metalurgy: 5.1241–1280 (i.e. 66 verses) 18. 4. Later evolution II
Warfare: 5.1281–1340.
Ships, poetry, letters: 5.1440-1457. (i.e. 78 verses)
VI. Plague of Athens 25. 4. Symptoms
Decay of body: 6.1138–1214 (i.e. 78 verses) 2. 5. Post-apo
Decay of society: 6.1215–1286 (i. e. 72 verses) 9. 5. Leftovers
Annotation
The course is intended for advanced students of Latin and/or philosophy with a good knowledge of Latin. The course will present several key questions and answers of the Epicurean philosophy as this philosophy can be reconstrued from Lucretius´ monumental epic poem De rerum natura and it will also pay attention to the poetic qualities of the Lucretius´ poem.
