Respected v Rejected Episode 3 - Horace

In this episode of Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, the Roman author Horace is discussed. Horace initially disliked Latin poets and admired Greek authors. After studying philosophy in Athens, he joined the Republic and fought in battles. When the Republic fell, he fled to Rome and became friends with influential Latin writers. Octavian noticed him and Horace began writing for the Roman Empire. He published several works, including the Ars Poetica. Despite his rough start, Horace became a respected and influential Latin author. He died at 57 and is still regarded as a sensible and poetic author today. Hey guys, and welcome back to Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, where I give little lessons on Latin and the cultural impacts of this fascinating language. In the third episode of Respected vs. Rejected Latin Authors, Horace, I will be talking about the Roman author Horace, who he was, why he started out with such disdain for Roman poets, how he turned into the poet we know him as, and if he was respected or rejected by his peers and the Romans. Quintus Horatius Flaccus was born of a freedman on December 8, 65 B.C. His father wanted to ensure he had a great education, and so he was brought up very academically and conservatively. Because of this, he grew to dislike the Latin poets and instead admire the Greek authors. At 19, Horace traveled to Athens to study philosophy. After the assassination of Julius Caesar, Horace joined the Republic and fought many battles. The Republic fell and dusted Horace. When this happened, he fled to Italy, more specifically, Rome, because his father's farm at Venusia was taken away. While he was in Rome, he was introduced to Mycenaeus. This was the start of a long-lasting friendship. Because of his friendship with Mycenaeus, he was introduced and put into a circle of influential Latin writers. Octavian soon took notice of Horace. During this time, Mycenaeus realized that the Roman Republic would never resurface, and he soon came to peace with the thought of the Roman Empire. Mycenaeus thrived in the company of his fellow authors. There were some quite influential writers, such as Virgil, with whom he became close friends. During this season, he was able to cultivate his literary talents by writing the satires. He enjoyed his leisurely lifestyle of writing and learning from his peers. A couple of years into this endeavor, Mycenaeus granted him an estate on the countryside. Horace's new farm became the focal point of his writings. He wrote fondly of his fields and pastures and his happy country surroundings. He lived a quiet and conservative lifestyle, focusing on refining his talents. In his poem, Happy the Man, he writes, Happy the man, and happy he alone, He who can call today his own, He who secure within can say, Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today. Be fair or foul, or rain or shine, The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine. Not heaven itself, upon the past has power, But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour. This poem was detailed in one of his earliest books, Ode. He wrote this after his book, Sermonim, and then he wrote his refrain. Though these were times of prosperity, disaster struck. His dear friend and mentor Virgil died. This made Horace turn from lyrical writing to more philosophical writing. However, before he could fully chase his pursuit of philosophical writing, he became what one would call the official writer of the Roman Empire. Starting with the Carmen Seculare, in honor of the revival of the secular games, Augustus began commissioning Horace to write for the Empire. After this, Horace began to regularly publish works. He wrote a fourth book of Odes, a second volume of 20 epistles, and the Ars Poetica. The Ars Poetica was his last work, and it is considered his most mature writing. In it, young writers are given solid advice on their careers. Though Horace's beginnings were rough with the Empire in Roman writing, Horace turned out to be one of the most influential faces of Latin literature. He was respected by the people and emperor for his contributions to society. He was loved by his peers for his lyrical and down-to-earth perspective. Horace was definitely a respected Latin author. Horace died at 57, and his ashes were buried next to the friend that had shown him the pathway to greatness and security in pursuing his love of literature, Mykines. He is regarded as one of the most sensible yet poetic authors of his time, and many draw inspiration from him even to this day. Thank you for joining me on Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, and I hope to see you on the next episode of Respected vs. Rejected Latin Authors.