Language and atomic theory in Lucretius

Abstract

It is now almost half a century since the publication of Paul Friedlander's influential paper on the 'atomistic' nature of Lucre tius' language.1 The significant role which alliteration and asson ance play in the poetry of Lucretius seemed to Friedlander to require an explanation, and that explanation he sought in the poet's theory of language. Friedlander was well aware that puns and word-play are a characteristic feature of much of the literature of the Roman