horace odes 3.14 augustus returns
Cards (14)
- Written in 23 BC
- Poem celebrating the return of Augustus from his military exploits in Spain by celebrating the women of his household
- Horace first acts as a public herald, announcing the news of Augustus’ return, and referencing the public figures of the Imperial family, then the poem switches to discussing Horace’s private life and his own celebrations and age
- "Hercules” - hero who became a god at death. Also defeated Geryon in Spain
- “Our famous leader’s sister” - Octavia
- “Marsian war”- The Social war (91-88 BC) against autonomous allies in Italy who wanted Roman citizenship
- “A jar…any of them have managed to escape Sparacsus’ eyes” - Spartucus lead a slave revolt in 72 BC -> Third Servile war
- “Neara” - a hetaria
- “Plancus” - consul in 42 BC (year of battle of Philippi, in which Horace fought against Octavian)
- The Imperial Family being used as role models
- “May his wife rejoice in a matchless husband”
- Livia “sacrificed to true gods”
- Octavia “our famous leader’s sister”
- Both Livia and Octavia “dressed in holy ribbons” and are “the mothers of virgins and youths, now safe and sound”
- Promoting tradition/morality
- “Virgins and youths” are now “safe and sound”
- “Boys and “young girls who are still without husbands” should “spare us any of your ill-omened words” - gods praise those who have a family
- Augustus’ characterisation
- Victorious - “conquering Caesar is home”, “said to be seeking that laurel”
- Likened to a hero and a god - compared to “Hercules” who became a god at death just as JC and how Aug will
- Superior to all - “matchless husband”
- Bringer of peace - allows Horace not to “fear civil war” but instead relax and enjoy symposium
- Protector - no civil war “while Caesar has command of the earth”
- Military might
- Rome having absolute power -> “while Caesar has command of the earth”
- Peace & prosperity
- “I’ll not fear civil war, nor sudden death by violence, while Caesar has command of the Earth”
- Horace rejoices at him being able to enjoy symposium and peace -> “tell that graceful Neara to hurry”
- Parallel between Horace and Rome, both of which are at an old age and as such have their “eager” spirit softened -> both are peaceful and placid now