Horace compliments a fellow-author who is also a prominent public figure with an outstanding political and military career, in the process giving a vivid evocation of the tragedy of civil war. Hear Horace’s Latin and follow in English here; see the illustrated blog post here.
Horace invites his friend and patron, Maecenas, to take a break from the cares of public life and visit him in the country, where the simple life is the good life. The rich and greedy may find themselves in peril on life’s sea, he says, but, with the help of the seafarers’ protectors, Castor and Pollux, he himself will come through safely in his simple little rowing-boat. Hokusai’s “Great Wave off Kanagawa” needs no introduction.
Hear Horace’s Latin and follow in English here.
Why does Horace couple (no pun intended) the name of Glycera with those of the goddess of love and the god of commerce? I think we can guess. Hear Horace’s 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.
In an ode in which Horace is referencing a poem by Alcaeus, one of his most revered early Greek models, he not only commends wine – in moderation – but also reminds us of its dangers. As an example, he gives the wedding of the legendary hero and friend of Theseus, Pirithous, at which the centaurs who had been invited got drunk and molested the bride, triggering a pitched battle.
Hear Horace’s Latin and follow in English here.