Quintus Horatius Flaccus—Horace 65b.c.-8b.c.
Life:
Horace was born in Apulia in South East Italy, the son of a freedman. At the age
of 12 his father brought him to Rome and left him under the care of Orbilius
Pupillus. Horace’s father acted as his paedagogus to protect his son from the
corruption of the city. Horace continued his studies in Athens where he joined
the Republican forces under Brutus and Cassius and was given the position of
tribune in the army.
After the battle of Phillippi, where Horace says that he threw away his shield and
fled, he returned to Rome where he found that his fatger had died and his farm
confiscated.
Horace remained poor for 3 years. He was appointed as a clerk of the treasury
and began to write poetry to earn more money.
Horace became a friend of Virgil. The latter may have met him in Athens or read
some of his early poetry. He was introduced to Maecenas, the political adviser of
Octavian/Augustus and became Horace’s patron in 38b.c. In 33b.c. Maecenas
gave Horace the gift of a Sabine farm outside of Rome. Horace was now
completely free of financial worry. Augustus offered Horace the post of private
secretary but he turned it down. Augustus was not offended.
Horace was deeply thankful to Maecenas and addressed 8 odes and 4 epodes to
him.
Horace was at first not particularly impressed with Augustus’ regime but by
23b.c. he was a firm supporter of the Principate.
Writings:
1. Epodes 41b.c.-31b.c.—He writes lampoons on various people. Other
poems deal with politics and love.
2. Satires in 2 books. These are little sermons or chats in good humour on
everyday life in Rome and it’s inhabitants e.g. description of a journey
with Virgil and Maecenas to Brundisium; an encounter with a bore.
These books contain an amount of autobiographical detail. We learn that
Horace was small in stature, prematurely grey and had a fiery temper.
3. Odes 31b.c.-23b.c—books 1-3. Book 4 was published in 13b.c. This is
where Horace’s fame really lies.
The Odes are each addressed to some particular person on different
themes e.g. love, wine, religion, brevity of life. He modelled these on
Greek lyric poets—Alcaeus-patriotic poems; Sappho-love poetess.
Horace often returned to a single thought—life is short and uncertain and
should be enjoyed. He emphasised peace of mind before riches and
ambition. He fostered the idea of the “Golden Mean”—nothing to excess.
The principal qualities of the Odes:
1. Compression of language—he says a lot using a few words.
2. Quotable—carpe diem; nil desperandum—little gems of wisdom which
still hold true today.
3. He was the first to adapt Greek songs to Italian metres. The Odes are
noted for their painstaking perfection.
In 17b.c Horace was asked to compose the Carmen Saeculare—a hymn to Apollo
and Diana and sung at games held in their honour. They were normally
celebrated once every 100 years. Augustus wanted to put on a show for the
people. Horace was chosen even ahead of Virgil.
Another work he wrote was Ars Poetica—a letter written to a certain Piso
dealing with rules for poetical composition, style diction and metre.
Horace had a unique blend of amusing wit, biting satire, moral reflection and
common sense.