Horace Epistles Book II and Ars Poetica [Paperback]

This commentary fulfils the need for a student edition of Horace's literary epistles, which have recently been the subject of renewed scholarly interest.A clear introduction to three poems: the Epistles to Augustus, to Florus, and to the Pisones (the so-called Ars Poetica ) fulfils the need for a student edition of Horace's literary epistles.A clear introduction to three poems: the Epistles to Augustus, to Florus, and to the Pisones (the so-called Ars Poetica ) fulfils the need for a student edition of Horace's literary epistles.This volume fulfills the need for a student edition of Horace's literary epistles, which have recently been the subject of renewed scholarly interest. Professor Rudd provides a clear introduction to each of the three poems: the Epistles to Augustus, to Florus, and to the Pisones (the so-called Ars Poetica ). He sketches the historical context in which the poems were written and comments on their structure and purpose. He also discusses their literary preoccupations: the relations of poet and patron and the role of poetry in the state (Augustus), the problems of a professedly tiring poet (Florus), and the presentation of classical poetic theory ( Ars Poetica ). He notes Horace's influence on later criticism, drawing attention in one section to one of Alexander Pope's Imitations. He also addresses problems of grammar and style, focusing on linguistic difficulties and the subtle movement of the poet's thought.Preface; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The Epistle to Augustus (Epistles 2.1); 2. The Epistle to Augustus (Epistles 2.2); 3. The Epistle to the Pisones (The Ars Poetica); 4. Chronological table; 5. Departures from Brink's text; Q. HORATI FLACCI EPISTVLARUM LIBER SECVNDVS EPISTVLA AD AVGVSTVM EPISTVLA AD FLORVM ARS POETICA; Commentary; Appendix: the status of the Private Odes; Bibliography; Index. Rudd has performed a valuable service in bringing us into the 1990's on the Literary Epistles of Horace, carefully assessing the monumel#µ