Horace

A literary portrait traces the poet's modest origins and upbringing in rural Italy, his education in Rome, and his social ascent through patronage, then examines his major genres—satires, epistles, odes and the unfinished Art of Poetry—offering close readings of style, themes of moderation, conviviality and poetic craft, and discussions of favorite figures such as his patron Maecenas and Emperor Augustus. The author compares translations and adaptations, surveys reception by later writers, and supplements the narrative with illustrations, notes on wines associated with the poet, a chronology and an index.