Horace Odes 3.14 - Augustus returns

Year it was written

23 BC

Historical context

27-24 BC Augustus was in Spain conquering the north-west. He suffered a serious illness whilst there. This poem celebrates his return.

stanzas 1-3

Horace acts as a herald (messenger), relaying the news that Augustus is returning

stanzas 4-5

Horace is organising a private party for Augustus' return

stanzas 6-7

Horace invites a woman to the party, and reflects on his past youth

1 direct address

O citizens

1 peace from war

conquering Caesar

1 simile

like Hercules (who is said to have visited Rome on his way back from defeating a monster in Spain, and was seen by Romans to be a protector)

1 allusion

seeking that laurel- allusion to military victory

2 allusion

his wife- Livia/ sister- Octavia

2 imperial women as role models

may his wife rejoice...leader's sister, and all dressed in holy ribbons (Octavia)

2a importance of religious observances

having sacrificed to true gods

2b importance of religious observances

dressed in holy ribbons

2 religious festival- what is it for?

To celebrate Augustus' return and for the imperial family to publicly act as role models for religion

3 direct address

O you boys and you young girls

3 prosperity and celebration

now safe and sound (by Augustus' ending of war)

4 prosperity and celebration

true holiday for me...banish dark care: I'll not fear civil war

4 peace from war

while Caesar has command of the earth

5 prosperity and celebration

seek out perfumes and garlands

5 Marsian War

91-87, another Italian civil war (usually known as the Social War)

5 Spartacus

leader of the slave revolt of 73 BC- reminder of another Roman conflict

5 Spartacus and Marsian Wars

Horace slips in allusions to past upheavals which contrast with the peace now enjoyed by the Romans

6 graceful Neaera

A Greek name, so likely referring to a slave

6 hateful doorkeeper

typical in Roman love poetry, a strict doorkeeper who keeps a man from his woman

7 when Plancus was consul

another reference to a Roman conflict- this time the battle of Philippi. Horace fought with Brutus and Cassius in the battle (against Augustus), but was later pardoned.

Augustus as pater patriae

He is called a "matchless husband", emphasising his family role, and his family clearly model traditional morality. However Horace undermines this with his invitation to "graceful Neaera", clearly not his wife!

Augustus as imperator

In reference to his conquest of Spain, he is referred to as 'conquering Caesar' and compared to Hercules. Romans are now "safe and sound" with him back and in "command of the earth.

Augustus as religious leader

The imperial women are portrayed as religious, sacrificing to true gods and wearing holy ribbons.

Augustus as culture hero

Romans can celebrate and feel safe upon his return, "perfumes and garlands", "true holiday", "tell that graceful Neaera".