Like a Rotten Stone: Seneca’s Allusions to Lucretian Cosmic Decay in Epistulae Morales 12, 30 and 58
-
Francesca Romana Berno
Abstract
Seneca’s attitude towards Lucretius is different from the one he displays towards Epicurus. While the latter is mostly present in Epistulae Morales 1-29 and is regularly cited with reference to ethical issues, Lucretius is quoted only a few times, starting from letter 58. What is more, Seneca’s quotations of Lucretius primarily regard physical or theoretical issues. This paper examines the imagery of “rotten stones” as a symbol of cosmic decay in Seneca’s epistolary corpus (letters 12, 30, and 58) and shows that Lucretius’ DRN has been, in that case, a major source of inspiration. While turning an eye on Lucretius, Seneca remains sensitive both to the philosophical but also to the literary qualities of the Epicurean poet.
Abstract
Seneca’s attitude towards Lucretius is different from the one he displays towards Epicurus. While the latter is mostly present in Epistulae Morales 1-29 and is regularly cited with reference to ethical issues, Lucretius is quoted only a few times, starting from letter 58. What is more, Seneca’s quotations of Lucretius primarily regard physical or theoretical issues. This paper examines the imagery of “rotten stones” as a symbol of cosmic decay in Seneca’s epistolary corpus (letters 12, 30, and 58) and shows that Lucretius’ DRN has been, in that case, a major source of inspiration. While turning an eye on Lucretius, Seneca remains sensitive both to the philosophical but also to the literary qualities of the Epicurean poet.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- Introduction 1
- Cicero and Lucretius on Deifying the Great Man 7
- Lucretius, Celsus and “Medical Latin” 23
- Like a Rotten Stone: Seneca’s Allusions to Lucretian Cosmic Decay in Epistulae Morales 12, 30 and 58 61
- It’s the Final Countdown: Taking the Philosophical Test on the Brink of Death: Lucretius’ DRN, Seneca Naturales Quaestiones 3.27–30 83
- Lucretius in Quintilian 107
- Lucretius, Pliny the Younger, and the Volcano 121
- Lucretius in Plutarch’s Gryllus: An Intertext on Animal Rationality 143
- Lactantius’ Use of Lucretius and Virgil in the Divine Institutes 185
- List of Contributors 211
- Index Rerum et Nominum 213
- Index Locorum 215
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- Introduction 1
- Cicero and Lucretius on Deifying the Great Man 7
- Lucretius, Celsus and “Medical Latin” 23
- Like a Rotten Stone: Seneca’s Allusions to Lucretian Cosmic Decay in Epistulae Morales 12, 30 and 58 61
- It’s the Final Countdown: Taking the Philosophical Test on the Brink of Death: Lucretius’ DRN, Seneca Naturales Quaestiones 3.27–30 83
- Lucretius in Quintilian 107
- Lucretius, Pliny the Younger, and the Volcano 121
- Lucretius in Plutarch’s Gryllus: An Intertext on Animal Rationality 143
- Lactantius’ Use of Lucretius and Virgil in the Divine Institutes 185
- List of Contributors 211
- Index Rerum et Nominum 213
- Index Locorum 215
