Spells, Tragedy, and Love: Impacts of Epicurean Philosophy in the Eighteenth Century

Authors

Sara Boudreaux, Binghamton University--SUNY

Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Book

Description

Lucretius’s Six Books of Epicurean Philosophy is a long, dense book filled with a double translation of ancient philosophy in prose. Due to the nature of the book, it seems to have a small, scholarly reach. Mysteriously, it seems to have passed through many hands over its time after printing. However, the book has deep ties beyond philosophy, to love and death. Lucretius, the original author, died of madness from a love potion. Thomas Creech, the translator, committed suicide after a rejected proposal. Sofia Potocka, a prostitute turned noblewoman through her lovely charms, is one of the owners. It is impossible to deny the book’s impact on the people who have interacted with it. A study of Epicurean philosophy may reveal the strangely strong emotions surrounding the writing and reading of this text.

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Recommended Citation

Boudreaux, Sara, "Spells, Tragedy, and Love: Impacts of Epicurean Philosophy in the Eighteenth Century" (2024). Research Days Posters 2024. 26.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2024/26