Introductory description

This module surveys the poetry of Horace as key for our understanding of the relationship between poets and patrons under Augustus. By looking at the entirety of Horace’s production, we will analyse the tension between his own poetic authorship and authority and the possibly authoritarian constraints of the Augustan regime as it evolved during the years of Horace’s life. The module will also provide a broad understanding of the main political theories of authoritarianism and totalitarianism as well as some key modes of reading Latin literary texts.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module explores the poetry of Horace as a lens for understanding the relationship between poets and patrons under the principate of Caesar Augustus. Students taking the module in translation will read Horace's entire production (Odes, Epodes, Satires, Epistles, the Art of Poetry, the Carmen Saeculare) while students taking the module in Latin will read in the original Horace's Odes 2 and his Epistle to Augustus.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• A good understanding of Horace’s poetry, its role within the Augustan age, and the relationship between poetry and power under Augustus;
• A broad understanding of the main theories surrounding authoritarianism and totalitarianism in and beyond antiquity;
• A broad understanding of a number of literary theories, including persona theory, theories of genres, hermeneutics of suspicion, theories of the lyric;
• An ability to discuss Horace’s texts and other Latin texts from the Augustan age in literary terms and in their historical contextualization;
• (for those taking the module in Latin) Advanced Latin linguistic skills;
• Advanced skills in the critical analysis of classical scholarship.

Indicative reading list

Texts in Translation

Horace, Odes and Epodes (Oxford World’s Classics by David West, recommended for purchase, ca. £6, or Loeb volume by Rudd £16)
Horace Satires, Epistles, Art of Poetry (Oxford World’s Classics by Robert Cowan et al. ca. £7 or Loeb by Fairclough £18)

Set Texts for the module as a Latin language option

Horace Odes 2 with Green & Yellow commentary by Stephen Harrison (please purchase, ca. £20)
Horace Epistle to Augustus (270 lines)

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

linguistic skills, interpretive skills, content knowledge

Transferable skills

argumentative skills, linguistic skills, writing skills, interpretive skills, communication skills (orally and in writing)