Horace, Carmina [Odes]

Lindsay Cameron Watson (University of Sydney)
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Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) was born on 8th December 65 (BC) and died on 27th November 8 (BC). In between he produced a substantial body of poetry, of which the Odes (Latin Carmina) represent his most important and enduring work. Books 1-3 were published together in 23 B.C, to a disappointing reception. Book 4, quantitatively speaking more political than 1-3, followed some year later; the last datable allusion is 13 years (BC).

Horace was to an unusual degree conscious of his vocation as poet, an idea announced with considerable prominence in the envoi to Odes 1. 1. In penning the Odes, he viewed himself as accommodating to Roman verse the artistic legacy …

3245 words

Citation: Watson, Lindsay Cameron. "Carmina". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 November 2006 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=13378, accessed 19 April 2024.]

13378 Carmina 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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