LUCRETIUS Carus, Titus.

The last book printed by Aldus Manutius the Elder De rerum natura.

      Venice, Aldus Manutius the Elder & Andrea Soceri, January 1515.. 8vo. Later vellum, ribbed spine with title lettered in gold. Woodcut printer's device on title and verso of last leaf. (8), 125, (3; the second being blank) leaves. [Collation: *8 a-q8].\n. Second issue of Aldus Manutius last printed work, De rerum natura ( The nature of things ) by Titus Carus Lucretius (ca. 98-55 BC). This issue contains, just as the first issue, some foliation errors of which most are identical in both issues. The differences regarding the first issue are that folio 12 is numbered 11 and 112 as 212. Furthermore the numeral 88 is out of alignment in our issue.Lucretius' scientific epic De rerum natura (usually translated as 'On the Nature of Things' or 'On the Nature of the Universe') is worldwide considered as the immortal masterpiece of Epicurean philosophy. It transmits the ideas of Epicurean physics , which includes Atomism, and psychology. Lucretius was one of the first Epicureans to write in Latin. Very little is known about Lucretius's life; the only certain fact is that he was either a friend or a client of Gaius Memmius, to whom he dedicated De Rerum Natura .According to Lucretius's frequent statements in his poem, the main purpose of the work was to free Gaius Memmius's (and presumably all of mankind's) mind of superstition and the fear of death. He attempts this by expounding the philosophical system of Epicurus, whom Lucretius apotheosizes as the hero of his epic poem.Lucretius identifies superstition ( religio in the Latin) with the notion that the gods/supernatural powers created our world or interfere with its operations in any way. He argues against fear of such gods by demonstrating through observations and logical argument that the operations of the world can be accounted for entirely in terms of natural phenomena -- the regular but purposeless motions and interactions of tiny atoms in empty space -- instead of in terms of the will of the gods.In his epic, Lucretius appeals to reason in order to enlighten his readers and persuade them to accept his belief system. Because of its atheistic ideals, De rerum natura almost faded into obscurity as Christianity gained momentum. During the Renaissance however, Lucretius's epic was rediscovered, and it continues to be translated and studied today. Aldus had published the De rerum natura already in 1500, but the present edition 'est cependant bien superieure a la edition de 1500' (Renouard). De rerum natura is praised for its depiction of nature as a source of life, death, joy, peace, and terror. It is not a poem strictly about the physical world, as Epicureanism also offers guidelines for human conduct and relationships. Lucretius's philosophy of how human beings should live dictates pursuing friendship and avoiding war.Lucretius distributed his argument into six books, beginning each with a highly polished introduction. Books I and II established the main principles of the atomic universe, refuted the rival theories of the pre-Socratic cosmic philosophers Heracleitus, Empedocles, and Anaxagoras, and covertly attacked the Stoics, a school of moralists rivalling that of Epicurus. Book III demonstrated the atomic structure and mortality of the soul and ended with a triumphant sermon on the theme "Death is nothing to us." Book IV described the mechanics of sense perception, thought, and certain bodily functions and condemned sexual passion. Book V described the creation and working of this world and the celestial bodies and the evolution of life and human society. Book VI explained remarkable phenomena of the earth and sky, in particular, thunder and lightning. The poem ends with a description of the plague at Athens, a sombre picture of death contrasting with that of spring and birth in the invocation to Venus, with which it opened. Very good copy with bookplate of Carlo Migliorini pasted on inside front cover.- (Some contemp. corrections (the 'errata' are corrected) and verse numbers supplied in ink; inner margins of lvs. *1-2 strengthened; blank lvs. *8 and q7 not original; a few marg. (water) stains). Renouard, p. 74, nr. 11; Adams L-1651; Isaac 12846; Ahmanson-Murphy 112a; STC Italian, p. 397; The Aldine press 130A; Fletcher (1988), pp. 123-5.