Lucretius on Death and Anxiety

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Focusing on the themes of mortality and the human experience of dying, Charles Segal offers a new interpretation of Lucretius's work, highlighting its significance in understanding Western attitudes toward death. He argues that Lucretius addresses the fears surrounding the dying process and the concept of nothingness, which were overlooked by Epicurus. By intertwining Epicurean philosophy with Roman corporeal concerns and the traditions of epic and tragic poetry, Segal emphasizes the poem's aim of fostering spiritual tranquillity amidst these anxieties.