How did Lucretius preserve and explain Epicurus’s philosophy?

Lucretius preserved and explained the philosophy of Epicurus primarily through his didactic poem, On the Nature of Things (De rerum natura). This work serves as the most comprehensive extant account of Epicurean physical theory, while also addressing ethical and logical doctrines.12

To make Epicurus’s abstract Greek prose accessible to a Roman audience, Lucretius employed several techniques:

• Linguistic Innovation: At a time when Latin lacked a philosophical vocabulary, Lucretius adapted common words for technical use—such as using primordia for "atoms"—and invented new terms when necessary.12
• Poetic Structure: He utilized hexameters and drew upon the styles of earlier poets like Quintus Ennius to render complex arguments into a compelling literary form.12
• Systematic Exposition: The poem is divided into six books that establish the principles of an atomic universe, explain sense perception, and detail the mortality of the soul.12

By framing these arguments with moral fervor, Lucretius aimed to liberate humanity from the fear of death and the gods, advocating for a life focused on achieving the maximum balance of pleasure and the minimum of pain.2