The Art of Poetry: An Epistle to the Pisos

Ancient Rome had no shortage of great writers and poets, including Plutarch, Virgil, Ovid, Catullus, Tacitus, and countless others. One of the great Roman poets who is usually part of the conversation is Quintus Horatius Flaccus, known simply as Horace (65-8 B.C.). In fact, Horace was the preeminent Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.  

Horace may have had his greatest influence on the Middle Ages and Renaissance. While people today still echo his Carpe Diem, it’s clear that his poetry influenced the works of poets such as Petrarch and Dante as well. His The Art of Poetry has been the standard guide on composing poetry for nearly 2,000 years.