The Odes

Horace's four books of lyric perfection: carpe diem, monuments of bronze, and Rome's middle way.

Specifications & Metrics

author

Horace

type

Lyric poetry collection

era

Augustan Rome (23–13 BC)

language

Latin

verse form

Greek lyric metres, adapted

cantos count

103

Core Principles & Analysis

• The first three books appeared in 23 BC; a fourth followed by 13 BC.
• 'Carpe diem' and 'Exegi monumentum aere perennius' are both from it.
• Its Greek metres naturalized Latin lyric for every later European poet.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Odes (Horace)