Lucretius, whose full name was Titus Lucretius Carus, was a Roman poet and philosopher who lived during the 1st century BC. His masterpiece, the didactic poem "De rerum natura", is a detailed exposition of Epicurean philosophy. In this long poem, Lucretius addresses topics such as atomistic physics, ethics, psychology, and religion. He argues that the universe is composed of atoms and void, and that the mind and soul are also material and mortal. The main objective of his work was to free people from superstitious fear of the gods and death, promoting a life of tranquility and pleasure through rational understanding of the natural world. Although little is known about his personal life, his influence on later philosophy and science is undeniable. He is believed to have been born in Pompeii, although the exact date is uncertain.