Horace was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus. While writing his odes he
used an elevated style full of charm and elegance. He was versatile in his figures and
agreeably daring in his choice of words. At a time of tremendous political uproar Horace wrote
poetry. His Odes brought Rome the meters and subjects of the Greek lyric poets who had
flourished some six centuries earlier. His accomplishment ensured that the Odes stayed unique
in Latin literature and they have continued to be read and treasured for two thousand years.
The titular work 'The Carmen Saeculare ' is a mythological and religious song. It is written
the form of a prayer to Apollo and Diana. This work contains an English translation of many
such odes by Horace. They are written in graceful verse always careful of the poems' form
rhetoric sound and syntax. Horace's metrical variety is elemental to his work so these
translations have recreated the original thirteen meters in English.
