Horace, Epistles II

Philippa Bather (University College London)

Ed. by William John Dominik, University of Otago
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.2: Ancient Roman Writing and Culture (Republic and Empire), -750-476.
Vol. editors: William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Jula Wildberger (The American University of Paris)

Dates

First circulation or publication -13

Places

Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire) (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Poem collection

Resources

Horace’s Epistles 2 comprises two poems: the Epistle to Augustus (Epistle 2.1) and the Epistle to Florus (Epistle 2.2). The publication date of Epistles 2 is uncertain; however, historical reference plausibly suggests c.12 B.C. Reference to Horace’s resumption of lyric at Epistles 2.1.111-13 indicates a compositional date for Epistles 2.1 following the completion of his Odes 4 in 13 B.C. This is reinforced by reference to the Lares of Augustus’ imperial household and the Genius of Augustus, which indicates a date no earlier than 12 B.C. (Ep. 2.1.15-16; see Taylor (1931) 134-35). Although placed second in the collection, Epistle 2.2 is dated earlier, …

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1407 words

Citation: Bather, Philippa. "Epistles II". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 07 March 2012 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=13375, accessed 03 May 2024.]

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