Around 60 BC, Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius composed "De Rerum Natura," a didactic epic in hexameter verse expounding Epicurean philosophy. The work explored atomism, the universe's material nature, and the pursuit of happiness free from superstition. It profoundly influenced Renaissance thought, science, and poetry by promoting rational inquiry and naturalistic views.

Lucretius's 'De Rerum Natura,' composed in 60 BC, merged scientific inquiry with poetic expression, significantly influencing Western literature's didactic and philosophical traditions. His exploration of nature and the universe inspired later poets, including John Milton and the Romantics.