Traditions and Contexts in the Poetry of Horace

This book explores the whole range of the output of an exceptionally versatile and innovative poet, from the Epodes to the literary-critical Epistles. Distinguished scholars of diverse background and interests introduce readers to a variety of critical approaches to Horace and to Latin poetry. Close attention is paid throughout to the actual text of Horace, with many of the chapters focusing on reading a single poem. These close readings are then situated in a number of different political, philosophical and historical contexts. The book sheds light not only on Horace but on the general problems confronting Latinists in the study of Augustan poetry, and it will be of value to a wide range of upper-level Latin students and scholars.

• Covers the whole range of the output of this central Latin author • Boasts a distinguished international team of contributors • Demonstrates a range of critical approaches and techniques and provides a showcase for contemporary Latin criticism

List of contributors; Prologue; Acknowledgements; 1. Horace’s birthday and deathday Arnold Bradshaw; 2. Amicvs certvs in re incerta cernitvr: epode I Ian M. Le M. Du Quesnay; 3. Dreaming about Quirinus: Horace’s Satires and the development of Augustan poetry James E. G. Zetzel; 4. Biformis vates: the Odes, Catullus and Greek lyric Tony Woodman; 5. The Odes: just where do you draw the line? Alan Griffiths; 6. A wine-jar for Messalla: Carmina 3.21 R. G. M. Nisbet; 7. Feminine endings, lyric seductions Ellen Oliensis; 8. The uniqueness of the Carmen Saecvlare and its tradition Alessandro Barchiesi; 9. Solvs sapiens liber est: recommissioning lyric in Epistles I Kirk Freudenburg; 10. Poetry, philosophy, politics and play: Epistles I John Moles; 11. Horace, Cicero and Augustus, or the poet statesman at Epistles 2.1.256 Michèle Lowrie; 12. Vna cvm scriptore meo: poetry, Principate and the traditions of literary history in the Epistle to Augustus Denis Feeney; 13. Epilogue; Notes; Abbreviations and bibliography; Indexes.