The Logic of Verse in the Lucretian <em>Kulturgeschichte</em>

<p>This thesis focuses upon Lucretius’ description of the development of society in the fifth book of <em>De Rerum Natura</em>. I argue that many of Lucretius’ seemingly un-Epicurean statements are actually clarified by his use of archaic poetic devices. Through these features, Lucretius constructs a logical substructure upon which he builds his narrative and philosophical claims. As evidence for this, I compare these poetic devices to those found in other locations throughout <em>DRN</em>, as well as to similar features in Latin and Oscan curse tablets, Ennius’ <em>Annales</em>, and Varro’s <em>De Lingua Latina</em>. Afterwards, by reference to the works of Epicurus, Hermarchus, and Demetrius Lacon, I demonstrate that these philosophical claims are orthodox Epicurean beliefs. I conclude with a brief investigation of the narrative’s <em>Nachleben</em> in Propertius’ <em>Elegia</em> and Ovid’s <em>Ars Amatoria</em> in order to demonstrate that, in antiquity, this portion of <em>DRN</em> was understood in a manner congruent with my analysis.</p>