Quintus Horatius Flaccus
(65 - 8 BC) Rome
Poet
Born at Venusia, in Apulia, South Italy, the son of a freedman, he fought with the republicans at Philippi, lost his estate, and was reduced to poverty. Virgil introduced him about 38 to Mecenas, who gave him a small estate and procured him the friendship and patronage of Augustus. His Satires, published 35-30 BC, survey the follies of contemporary society. His lyrical poems, the Epodes, and the four books of Odes (about 25-24 BC), written in a variety of metres, deal with both personal and political themes. In later life Horace wrote his Epistles, a series of verse letters, and the critical treatise in verse De arte poetica (The Art of Poetry).
He has been the most quoted of Latin poets, giving lovers of the apt phrase a moltitude to choose from. In one of his Satires he writes:
"If you are aroused and a slave girl or slave boy that you crave in the heat of the moment is standing by, why would you choose to remain dissatisfied? I wouldn't. I like a love that is cheap and available."
|
