Written in poetic form, On the Nature of Things (De Rerum Natura) by Lucretius explores the philosophical ideas of Epicureanism, arguing that the universe is governed by natural laws and not by divine intervention. The poem discusses topics such as the nature of atoms, the soul, the origins of life, and the nature of death. Lucretius seeks to alleviate the fear of death and the gods by explaining the world in materialist terms. His work was groundbreaking for its early use of atomic theory and its challenge to religious explanations of existence. The poem is a significant contribution to the development of scientific and philosophical thought in Western history.