Horace

Date of Birth: December 8, 65 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: November 27, 8 BCE

Biography

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was a renowned Roman poet who lived during the time of Augustus. Born on December 8, 65 BCE, in Venusia, a small town in southern Italy, Horace rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated poets of his era. His father, a freedman, worked as a coactor (a collector of payments made at auctions), which allowed him to provide Horace with a good education in Rome and later in Athens. Horace’s career trajectory was significantly influenced by his involvement in the civil wars following the assassination of Julius Caesar. He served as a military tribune in the army of Brutus, one of Caesar’s assassins, and fought at the Battle of Philippi. After the defeat of Brutus, Horace returned to Rome, where he faced financial difficulties. Despite these early setbacks, Horace’s poetic talent soon garnered the attention of influential figures, including Maecenas, a close friend and advisor to Augustus. Maecenas became Horace’s patron, providing him with a villa in the Sabine Hills and the financial stability to devote himself fully to writing. Horace’s works are characterized by their wit, wisdom, and reflections on the human condition. His most famous collections include the “Odes,” “Satires,” and “Epistles.” Through his poetry, Horace championed themes such as the pursuit of a balanced life, the fleeting nature of time, and the value of friendship. Horace died on November 27, 8 BCE, in Rome, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to influence writers and poets to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Horace

1. Horace coined the phrase “carpe diem,” which means “seize the day.”

2. He was a close friend and contemporary of the poet Virgil.

3. Horace’s works were highly regarded by the Emperor Augustus himself.

4. His “Ars Poetica” (The Art of Poetry) has been a foundational text for literary theory.

5. Horace’s villa in the Sabine Hills, given to him by Maecenas, became a symbol of his ideal of a simple, rural life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Horace

1. “Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.” (“Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.”)

2. “A word once sent forth can never be recalled.”

3. “He who is greedy is always in want.”

4. “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.”

5. “The foolish are like ripples on water, for whatsoever they do is quickly effaced; but the righteous are like carvings upon stone, for their smallest act is durable.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a historical figure from ancient Rome, Horace did not accumulate a net worth in the modern sense. However, thanks to the patronage of Maecenas, he enjoyed financial security and the means to live comfortably.

Children

Horace did not have any known children. His personal life, including details about marriage and offspring, is not well-documented in historical records.