Roman poet, satirist and dramatist Horace was born in southern Italy in 65 BC. Uncommonly for one born to poor parents, Horace studied literature and philosophy in Athens until he became a staff officer in Brutus’ army, where he served as a military tribune until the army was defeated in 42 BC. He soon returned to Rome, purchased the post of scribe, and it was here that he began writing verse and struck up a friendship with the poet Virgil. Horace was praised for his reinterpretations of earlier Greek and Roman literary works, and his immeasurable influence on modern poetry cannot be overlooked. This collection contains Horace’s Odes sentimental reflections on life and commonplace themes; Epodes in which he describes his personal dislikes; Satires in which Horace good-humoredly reflects on flaws of humanity; Epistles informal moral essays that display the genius of Horace; and finally The Art of Poetry an exposition on literary composition. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the prose translations of Christopher Smart.