Episode 50: Our Brutal Age (Horace's Poetry)

In this engaging conversation, the Roman poet Horace, who thrived during Augustus's reign, shares insights from his transformative era. He discusses the tension between artistic freedom and political constraints, highlighting how Rome's upheavals influenced his work. Horace reflects on his humility and resilience amid personal and societal challenges, alongside the horrors of civil war portrayed in his poetry. The dynamics of literary patronage in Augustan Rome and the absurdity of self-promotion among poets also come to light, blending humor with depth.