Horace: A History

Historical Context



The time in which Horace lived was one of conflict and upheaval. His teen years were overshadowed by the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. He even fought on the side of the tyrannicides after Caesar's assassination. Horace was present at the Battle of Philippi where Octavian and Antony won the war and took control of Rome. He was also around to see Augustus take power and unify the Roman empire for a time of great peace. Horace wrote about the events of the time along with his friend Virgil. It shows in his writing how the roman republic struggled and finally collapsed but was brought back from the brink by an absolute ruler.

Horace's Life.

He was born Quintus Horatius Flaccus on December 8, 65 BCE in the town of Venusia. His father was a freedman who may have been taken captive at one point in time. nothing is known about Horace's mother. Horace's father gave him a good education, one common for the equestrian class at the time. After his initial studies he went to the University of Athens for further learning. It was there that, after Caesar's assassination, he was recruited by Marcus Brutus and joined the Tyrannicide army.In the army he was appointed tribunus militum or military tribune. he fought and lost with the tyrannicides at the battle of Philippi but was pardoned and returned to Italy. He found his estate to have been taken and facing poverty, Horace began to write poetry professionally. He got the job of scriba quaestorius which meant he was clerk to the heads of the Treasury. By the thirties BCE Horace became friends with Virgil and Varius who introduced him to Maecenas. Through his relationship with Maecenas he was able to make his way up the ranks to become acquainted with Emperor Augustus. Not much is known of his later life except he turned down a job to be Augustus' personal secretary. he died on November 27, 8 BCE.

Horace's Writings

Horace wrote for over thirty years and in many different styles. He published several collective works like Book 1 of the Satires. Horace wrote satires which were like conversations. He wrote satires in dactylic hexameter. Horace also wrote odes, and the epodes. His poetry is considered to be in the lyric style.

When Horace wrote Odes the social environment in which he lived played a major role. He references social relationships which were thought taboo. Horace uses word order loosely and does not follow the written rules. Yet his writings are seen by some to be the most beautiful and eloquent. Horace's writings are a true portrait into real Latin speech as well as a reference to the emotions of Romans of the age.