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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
Tony Woodman is Professor of Latin at the University of Durham and the author or editor of numerous books on Latin literature. Denis Feeney is Giger Professor of Classics at Princeton University. His most recent book is Literature and Religion at Rome (1998).

Review :
'The most radical essay in Traditions and Contexts in the Poetry of Horace is Alan Griffith's 'The Odes: Just Where Do You Draw the Line': the evidence he offers is well argued ...' Quadrant '... stimulating collection of essays ... many valuable insights.' Andrea Cucchuarelli, University of Siena-Arezzo