8 Dec. 65-27 Nov. 8 B.C.E.
Soldier, Administrator, Poet

Financial Independence. Horace, as he is known in English, was born on 8 December 65 B.C.E. in Venusia in southeast Italy as the son of a freedman. Nonetheless, he was sent to Greece, like many noblemen, to finish his education. There he joined Caesar's assassin, Marcus Brutus, and followed him into Asia Minor. As military tribune he fought on the losing (republican) side at Philippi. He returned to Rome, where he obtained an administrative position. He got to know Vergil and Varius, who introduced him to Maecenas. Horace became Maecenas's protege and lifelong friend. In 32 B.C.E. Maecenas gave him a farm in the Sabine country, which made the poet financially independent. Maecenas also introduced him to Augustus, who offered him a post as his secretary, but Horace declined. Shortly after the battle of...