1. Quintus Horatius Flaccus

2. Early Life Born December 8, 65 BC in Venusia Refers to himself as a libertino natus patre Father was an auction broker & tax collector Never mentions mother but mentions his nurse, Pullia

3. Education Father saved money for Horace to go to school in Rome; studied under L. Orbilius Pupillus At 19 continued education in Athens at the Academy founded by Plato Classmates with Cicero’s son, M. Cicero, and other sons of well-known patrician families

4. Civil War Studies were interrupted by the Civil War that followed Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC Brutus (of Et tu, Brute? fame) came to Athens to raise an army to fight against Octavian and Antony Feeling pro-democracy and pro-republic, Horace joined Brutus’ cause and is appointed military tribune (very rare) Brutus is defeated at Philippi; Horace is said to have deserted afterwards

5. Meanwhile, back in Rome… Father is dead and property has been confiscated Horace says this poverty made him turn to poetry Augustus grants general amnesty to those involved in the civil war Horace becomes clerk in state treasury and eventually starts writing

6. Patronage Vergil introduces him to Maecenas in 38 BC who becomes his patron Augustus also becomes a fan of his writing  Even offered Horace private secretary job, which Horace turned down (no hard feelings) Horace purchased Sabine farm in the country with financial support from these patrons Stressed that relationship with Maecenas was one of mutual concern and friendship, not patron/client

7. Maecenas Horace’s Sabine farm

8. The End Historian Suetonius writes: “somewhat short, plump, and very charming” Never married Died at age 57 on November 27, 8 BC Buried on the Esquiline Hill next to Maecenas Esquiline burial mural

9. Writings Satires (10 poems) = seek serenity in life Epodes = against the elite and ruthless ambition Satires 2 Odes (88 poems) = love, friendship, and beauty Epistles Secular Hymn (commissioned by Augustus) final book of Odes

10. Major Themes Taught moderation and simplicity with humor and wit Looked to bring back morals, virtues, and values of the republic, which were lacking at the time (and Augustus was concerned) Supported Epicurean philosophy (fame = afterlife) Inconsistent in religious and philosophical reasoning Agnostic, not atheist; believed that there might be a higher divine power (but not Augustus)