Ars Poetica

The Ars Poetica established Horace’s authority as a poet-critic. Many renowned poets modeled their training and authorial personas on his theories. Horace’s relationship with his patrons illustrates his authority as a poet and critic in his time. Friends of Horace introduced him to his patron Maecenas while the poet was in his late thirties. Horace represents his relationship with Maecenas as one of camaraderie and friendship despite Horace’s financial and social dependence. Shortly after earning a patron, Horace published his first major work, the Satires. In this work, Horace versifies his life experiences, including poetry about his father and his patrons. When Horace began writing The Art of Poetry for another patron, Piso, he was already experienced in writing for wealthy and powerful men of the Roman government and army. Horace’s references to epics, elegies, popular dramas, and love lyrics denote his awareness of an audience with a taste for battle, heroism, politics, and passion.

The Horatian tradition also maintains an intellectual hold over the history of literary criticism. Numerous manuscripts, imitations, and commentaries have been identified from the medieval period. Likewise, Ars Poetica significantly influenced the literary production and criticism of the Renaissance.