Lucretius

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

Lū̆crētĭus, a,

I the name of a Roman gens.

A Masc.

1 The poet T. Lucretius Carus, an Epicurean in philosophy, author of the poem De rerum natura, Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 11, 4; Quint. 10, 1, 87; 12, 11, 27; Ov. Am. 1, 15, 23; Stat. S. 2, 7, 76.—

2 Sp. Lucretius Tricipitinus, father of Lucretia, consul A. U. C. 245, Cic. Leg. 2, 4, 10; id. Rep. 2, 31, 55; Liv. 1, 59, 8.—

3 Q. Lucretius Vespillo, an orator , Cic. Brut. 48, 178.—

4 Another Lucretius Vespillo, an adherent of Pompey , Caes. B. C. 3, 7.—

B Fem.

1 Lū̆crētĭa , daughter of Sp. Lucretius Tricipitinus, and wife of Collatinus, who, when dishonored by Sex. Tarquinius, put herself to death, and thus became the immediate cause of the expulsion of the Tarquins from Rome , Cic. Rep. 2, 25, 46; id. Fin. 2, 20, 66; Liv. 1, 58; Ov. F. 2, 685; Juv. 10, 293.—

2 Transf., for a chaste woman : Lucretia toto Sis licet usque die, Laida nocte volo, Mart. 11, 104, 21; Petr. 9, 5.