The Odes

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, known as Horace, was a prominent Roman lyric poet during the reign of Augustus. Born on 8 December 65 BC in Venusia, a town in the border region between Apulia and Lucania, he was well-versed in various Italic dialects, and possibly Greek, from a young age. His education, heavily influenced by Greek literature, was funded by his father, a former slave who had become a ‘coactor’, possibly in the role of auctioneer and banker.

Horace’s early life coincided with Rome’s violent transition from republic to empire. He served as an officer in the republican army, which was defeated at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. Following this defeat and the subsequent confiscation of his family’s estate, Horace faced financial difficulties. However, his burgeoning literary career, bolstered by the patronage of Maecenas, a close associate of Octavian (who as emperor adopted the title of Augustus), alleviated these challenges. He was later gifted a Sabine farm by Maecenas and became a spokesman for the Augustan hierarchy.

Horace absorbed the teachings of Epicureanism and Stoicism, and wrote in various styles, including hexameter in his ‘Satires’ and ’Epistles’, and iambic poetry in his ‘Epodes’. His works often combined humour with serious critique, while influencing the Roman satirical tradition.

His writings are a blend of personal narrative, philosophical discourse, and artistic self-reflection, making him a pioneer in autobiographical poetry. His legacy includes the ’Odes’, ‘Satires’, ’Epistles’, and ‘Ars Poetica’, with his work characterised by its linguistic precision, thematic versatility, and blend of traditional Roman and Hellenistic elements. He died on 27 November 8 BC, having made a lasting impact on Roman literature and culture.

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