1/28/2013 ; 2/4/2013 ; 2/11/2013 Garth Tissol leads readers through Lucretius’ On the Nature of the Universe. This is a chance to become familiar with the Roman poet’s philosophical and scientific poem, which lies behind the recent success of Greenblatt’s The Swerve. With fervid conviction Lucretius expounds the atomic theory of Epicurus. A remarkable self-help treatise, expressed in stirring verse, Lucretius’ work aroused controversy in his time and later by his view of the soul (it is mortal) and the gods (they do not take an interest in our affairs). We will read On the Nature of Things in the fluid and accessible translation of Ronald Melville. General Admission: Fee: $45 for Carlos Museum members; $65 for non-members, and includes the cost of the books.