Two books of verse letters — to patrons, friends, and Augustus himself. Horace at his most relaxed and philosophical, reflecting on poetry, retirement, and the good life. The second book contains the Ars Poetica, his manifesto on how to write.
Start ReadingTwenty letters in verse — to Maecenas, Tibullus, Florus, and others. Horace on philosophy, friendship, literary taste, and how to grow old without becoming ridiculous. His most relaxed and discursive writing.
Three verse letters on literary criticism, culminating in the Ars Poetica — Horace's manifesto on how to write well, what makes a good poem, and why bad poets should stop.