How did Lucretius introduce Epicurean atomism to Roman readers?

Lucretius introduced Epicurean atomism to Roman readers through his didactic poem, De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things). Writing at a time when the Latin language lacked a formal philosophical vocabulary, Lucretius successfully translated the abstract Greek prose of Epicurus into Latin [hexameters].12

To bridge this linguistic gap, he employed several literary strategies:
* Technical Adaptation: He repurposed common Latin words for technical use, such as concilium to describe a "system of atoms" and primordia to refer to the "atoms" themselves.2
* Neologisms: When existing vocabulary was insufficient, he invented new terms to explain complex physical concepts.12
* Poetic Tradition: He utilized the style and diction of earlier Latin poets, particularly Quintus Ennius, incorporating alliteration, assonance, and archaic forms to make the dense subject matter more accessible and engaging.12

Through this six-book work, Lucretius aimed to liberate his readers from the fear of death and the gods by explaining the universe as a material system composed of atoms and void.23