Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/587

* LXJCRETIUS. 521 LUCULLUS. volcanic eruptions, the rising of the Nile, and the power of the magnet. The discussion of the spread of disease leads to an impressive account of the plague at Athens, based upon that of Thuoydides, and with this the book and the poem abruptly end. The permanent value of the work of Lucretius is not due to its scientific discussions, though it is to these that the greater part of the poem is devoted. It is true that the atomic theory of Democritus and Epicurus ( Lucretius did not himself make any contribution) has proved to be the most fruitful of all ancient physical theories, and that many of the general principles enunciat- ed in the lirst two books of the poem are in striking accord with modern science ; true, also, that the brilliant outline of anthropology given in the fifth book still seems essentially correct. But in countless details he is wrong, even absurdly wrong. Scientific method was as yet little under- stood : and Lucretius, in this respect, was not in advance of his time. He possesses, however, in high, degree the scientific temper and the scientific imagination. Xo thinker has more firmly grasped the universality of law, none takes greater delight in the discovery of facts and the determination of their meaning and connection. Almost alone among the Romans, he has an in- born taste and capacity for philosophical specula- tion, and his mind moves through the intricacies of a subtle argument with a sureness that rouses one's admiration. Neither is the special merit of Lucretius to be found in his literary art. although the De Rerum Natura is a splendid monument of pure and virile Latinity. He was evidently a wide reader both in Greek and in Latin, and well versed in the traditions of the poet's craft. The diction and rhythm of Ennius, in particular, had a great attractiveness for him. and the poem of Em- pedoclcs On Xature probably determined the form of his own. While he himself avowedly regards his poetry as merely a help to the effective ex- position of his philosophy, the numerous digres- sions, in which he has expressed his deepest mus- ings on human life, as well as countless touches in the scientific portion proper, all reveal poetical powers of the highest order. The cadence of the hexameter lacks, of course, the music and variety that Vergil was to put into it. The verse is some- times monotonous, but more often its ruggedness and majesty harmonize admirably with the thought. Lucretius was an earnest seeker for the truth, but it was in the spirit of the typical Roman, for a definite practical end, the emancipation of mankind from the bondage of superstition. Against the anthropomorphic deities of popular religion, arbitrarj- and vengeful, he wages war ■with a fervor, or rather fury, that is almost startling. Epicureanism seems to him 'a healing gospel,' and he its preacher. But the seriousness and exaltation of his nature makes of it really a new philosophy. Life has too solemn a meaning to be spent in the quest of pleasure, however re- fined. Fortitude and renunciation are its (rue watchwords. The enduring interest of the poem is thus a psychological one, and is due to the unconscious self-portrayal of one of the noblest minds in history. The editio priiweps was published at Brescia in 1473. The most important of the early editions are the first Aldine (1500), edited by Avancius, the Giunta (1.512), by Candidus, and those of Lambinus (Paris, 1503; .3d ed. 1570). But all modern editions are based on that of Lachmann (Berlin, 1850; 4th ed. of the text, 1871; of the commentary, 1882), The text was edited for Teubner by Bernays (Leipzig, 1852), and bj' Brieger (Leipzig, lS!t4: 2d ed. 1890). The most helpful editions today are those of H. A. J. Munro (3 vols., text, commentary, translation; 4th ed. London, 188li| and C. Giussani (2 vols., text and commentary, with good introductory essays; Turin, 18!)0-97). The following works will be found of special value: .Sellar, The Ruman Poets of the KepuUic (Oxford, 18811 : Martha, Lc poime de Lucrrce (Paris, 1873); Zeller, Stoics, Epicureans, and Sceptics, trans, by Reichel (London, 1880) ; Lange, Uistor)/ of ilatcrialism, trans, by Thomas (Boston, 1881) ; iLisson, The Atomic Theory of Lucretius (London, 1884); Wallace, Epicureanism (London, 1880 1, See, also, Tennyson's poem Lucretius, and W. H, Mallock, Lucretius on Life and Denth. LtrCBEZIA FLORIANI, loo-kra'ts*-^ flO'rd- ii'ne. A partially autobiographic novel by George Sand (1847). LUCBINO, loo-kre'nft. Lake (also Lake Lu- crine; ancient Lacus Lucrinus). A small salt- water lake in Italy, 10 miles west of Naples and separated from the Gulf of Pozzuoli by a narrow- dam of sand. In ancient times it was famous for oysters, and they are now cultivated there. In the time of Augustus, Agrippa connected Lake Lucrinus with Lake Avernus (q.v.) and with the bay of Cumse (Sinus Cumanus), thus form- ing the .Julian Harlmr (Portus .Julius I. cele- brated by Horace and Vergil. The canals and wharves were entirely destroyed in 1538 by the volcanic upheaval of Monte Nuovo that half- filled up Lake Lucrino. LUCTIL'I.TJS, G.^SDEXS of (Lat. Borti Lucul- liani). Famous pleasure grounds on the slope of the Pincian Hill at Rome, laid out with lavish ex- pense bv' Lucullus, and completed by Valerius Asiaticus. They contained porticoes and li- braries, a banqueting-hall. and a palace which afterwards bfecame the favorite residence of Messalina. Of these buildings only a few pieces of wall and some mosaic pavement imder neigh- boring streets remain. The famous Scythian sharpening his knife, now in the Tribune of the Uffizzi. aiid the head of Ulysses in the Vatican were found on the site of the gardens. LXICTJIiLU'S. Lrcius Licixius (c.llO-c.57 B.C.). . distinguished Roman general. In the first Mithridatic War he commanded the fleet as legate of Sulla. In B.C. 77 he filled the olTice of pnstor, and immediately after held the admin- istration of the Province of .frica. In B.C. 74 he was chosen consul along with :Marcus Aure- lius Cotta. and received Cilicia for his province, while Cotta had Bithynia. Both consuls arrived in Asia about the close of B.C. 74. Cotta was soon after utterly defeated by Milhridates. who had burst into Bithvnia at the head of l.'.O.OOO trodps. was forced to take refuge in Chalcedon. and was besieged bv the victor. Lucullus. however, ad- vanced to his relief at the head of 35,000 men. compelled Mithridates to raise the siege, and almost annihilated his army on its retreat. In B.C. 71 Pontus became subject to the Romans. The measures which Lucullus now introduced in the government of the Province of Asia, to secure