Like a Rotten Stone. Seneca's Allusions to Lucretian Cosmic Decay in the Epistulae Morales

Seneca’s attitude towards Lucretius is different from the one he displays towards Epicurus. While the latter is mostly present in Epistulae Morales 1–29 and is regularly cited with reference to ethical issues, Lucretius is quoted only a few times, starting from letter 58. What is more, Seneca’s quotations of Lucretius primarily regard physical or theoretical issues. This paper examines the imagery of “rotten stones” as a symbol of cosmic decay in Seneca’s epistolary corpus (letters 12, 30, and 58) and shows that Lucretius’ DRN has been, in that case, a major source of inspiration. While turning an eye on Lucretius, Seneca remains sensitive both to the philosophical but also to the literary qualities of the Epicurean poet.

Il lavoro analizza un capitolo della ricezione senecana di Lucrezio, inquadrandolo all'interno della presenza di Epicuro nelle Lettere morali. Si tratta dell'immagine delle pietre imputridite, emblema della corruzione che non risparmia nulla, che torna nelle lettere 12, 30 e 58, segnando una evoluzione interpretativa non esente da scopi estetici e letterari.