Horace wishes his friend Virgil a good voyage to Athens and a safe return to Rome.
Hear Horace’s Latin and follow in English here.
See the illustrated blog post here.
Today’s new poem is the famous first appearance of the saying “carpe diem”, early in Horace’s Odes. It means “seize the day”, doesn’t it? Yes, and so many other possible things that it is ultimately untranslatable. Read more, hear the Latin and follow in English here.
Another war against the Parthians looks in the offing and the outcome of the last one does not reflect well on Roman military pride and moral fibre. An inspiring example is needed. Step forward Regulus, who long ago persuaded the Senate to reject a deal with the Carthaginians which would have saved his own life. Hear the Regulus Ode here.
Here is a selection of poetry about the Gods – in a variety of moods.
First, Jupiter, King of the Gods, in the mood for love as
After Aeneas and Dido begin their doomed affair, the news is spread by the God of
Aeneas has to be reminded of his divine mission to found a city in Italy by the Gods’ messenger,
All ends badly for Dido. Taking pity, Juno ordains her final release from her agony by
Some deities are more glamorous than others. Aeneas meets the ferryman of Hades,
Horace has a mystical experience with a vision of
Arachne discovers that challenging a God is unwise in the course of her weaving contest with
Juno rouses King Turnus of the Rutuli to arms against Aeneas with the help of
Aeneas receives some welcome strategic advice from
Under Mount Etna, a might forge resounds with the laboursof
Vulcan and his workmen the Cyclopes
See the index to Latin selection pages here.
10 October is Fontinalia, the Roman festival of springs and fountains. See Horace’s celebration poem, O Fons Bandusiae, here. Photo by Halcyoon.