Thank you for explaining that, ive been reading de rerum Natura to get a better understanding of what you've said but I've not made it very far, got distracted after reading up to line 100.

I think it's a great read and very eye opening about just how advanced some ideas in antiquity were, but it can be either an insurmountable read or an enjoyable one depending on the translation.

I'd recommend this translation: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Things-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140447962

It's much more digestible than the older translations with stilted language and does a great job in modernizing the poetic aspects for an English audience.