2010.12.08

Today is the 2074^th anniversary of Horace’s birth. As a modest homage to his genius, I propose a new interpretation of Satires 2. 3 and 2. 7 in an article entitled ‘‘Le prince, le poète et l’esclave’’: or how a certain ‘slave’ takes advantage of Saturnalia, one of the most popular Roman festivals, that was marked by a reversal of social roles, to tell his ‘master’ a few home truths. But which is the master? which the poet? which the slave? Have a festive reading!

2010. 11.27

Today is the 2017^th anniversary of Horace’s death. Trebatius had warned him: O puer, ut sis / Vitalis metuo, et maiorum nequis amicus / Frigore te feriat. (Sat. 2. 1. 60-62). ‘‘Lad, / I fear for your life, lest one of your powerful / Friends freeze you dead.’’ (transl. A. S. Kline). His prophecy, alas, turned out to be true : http://www.espace-horace.org/etud/maleuvre1.htm