Named for the Latin philosopher and poet Titus Lucretius Carus. He was born around 90 B.C., probably in Rome, and he is known from his De rerum natura, a long poem written in Latin hexameters. In this he expounds on the physical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus {see planet  (5954)}, of whom he speaks with great admiration. The third part of the poem deals with atomic structure and the mortality of the soul, the latter with the famous words ‘Death means nothing to us’. (M 25445) _ _.