What Was the Weight of Ancient Soul? Cicero and the Challenge of Lucretius’ “De Rerum Natura”
What Was the Weight of Ancient Soul? Cicero and the Challenge of Lucretius’ “De Rerum Natura”

Summary/Abstract: Cicero’s return to philosophical issues in 46 BC meant also a remarkable change in his preferences concerning philosophy. As in the 50s he was mainly interested in ethical and political problems, now, after a few years, the main subject-matter of his philosophical investigation became the question of the death and immorality of the soul. In the following article I would like to suggest that one of the crucial factors that contributed to this change was the appearance of Lucretius’ “De Rerum Natura” – a splendid exposition of the Epicurean doctrines in the work where the ideas so absurd to Cicero were prompted in his native Latin language. The presence of this poem engaged Cicero in intellectual dispute with Lucretius, but without an open referring to the poet and his masterpiece. This secret rivalry remains for the modern reader somewhat more than a mere literary curiosity. Its importance is twofold: first, to a great degree it contributed to producing by Cicero excellent, inspiring philosophical dialogues; secondly, it reminds of a longtime meditation on the theme that ever will remain the greatest enigma of human life.

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