This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ...71. 7 Suet. Life of Horace. valued his freedom1 above all things else, and hated the irksomeness of rank and wealth.2 When he had won the favour of Maecenas and Augustus, he never showed the least disposition to belittle his old comrades of the Republican party, as a weaker man might have been tempted to do, but on the ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ...71. 7 Suet. Life of Horace. valued his freedom1 above all things else, and hated the irksomeness of rank and wealth.2 When he had won the favour of Maecenas and Augustus, he never showed the least disposition to belittle his old comrades of the Republican party, as a weaker man might have been tempted to do, but on the contrary makes many flattering references to them. He shows indifference,3 if not contempt, for the esteem of the Roman mob, which he believed unstable and capricious, and in his writings makes no appeal4 for its sympathy or support. But the years of association with Court circles had their inevitable influence upon him, and Horace had leamt well how to play the courtier. We have already seen his connection with the Augustan Revival, and the lengths he was prepared to go to second the efforts of his Imperial master. His intimacy with Court circles may well have helped to endow him with that splendid tact, which he so frequently exhibits. His short letter to Tiberius,5 recommending a friend to his favour, is a marvel of tact, especially when we remember the naturally morose and reserved character6 of the future Emperor. His tact is again shown at the opening of his long Epistle7 to Augustus, and in another passage8 he makes a passing reference to Philippi with the skill of a trained diplomatist. But nowhere is the temper of the courtier more clearly displayed than in the two Epistles,9 in which he gives advice to friends of different station how to live with the Great. Though he professes himself incompetent to proffer such advice, still he shows how thoroughly he has mastered the art of the courtier. His instructions10 could hardly be surpassed for acuteness of observation, and for appreciation (indelicate if we wish) of the difficulties of s...
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Near Fine with no dust jacket. Very minor shelfwear. Light browning to ffeps.; Attempts to illustrate the background of Horace and the movements that affected his writings.; 296 pages.
