Lucretius 1 Structure

Question 1

1-148

Answer 1

Prologue

Question 2

149-214

Answer 2

Nothing can come to be out of nothing (6 proofs)

Question 3

215-64

Answer 3

Nothing can be reduced to nothing (4 proofs)

Question 4

265-328

Answer 4

Indivisible bodies exist

Question 5

329-397

Answer 5

Void exists

Question 6

398-417

Answer 6

Digression: Memmius must begin to track down his own proofs

Question 7

418-448

Answer 7

There is no real existent bodies besides body and void

Question 8

449-482

Answer 8

Everything else is either a property or an accident of body and void

Question 9

483-634

Answer 9

Bodies are tiers first-beginnings of things (atoms) or compounds. The first beginnings of things are solid and indestructible. 12 proofs.

Question 10

635-637

Answer 10

Introduced rival views of first principles

Question 11

638-711

Answer 11

Heraclitus and monism

Question 12

712-829

Answer 12

Empedocles and limited pluralism

Question 13

830-920

Answer 13

Anaxagoras and unlimited pluralism

Question 14

921-50

Answer 14

Digression: Lucretius’ use of poetry

Question 15

951-957

Answer 15

Introduction to the infinity of matter and void

Question 16

958-1007

Answer 16

The infinity of the void

Question 17

1008-1113

Answer 17

The infinity of matter

Question 18

1114-1117

Answer 18

Concluding promise of enlightenment