Horace

Step into the world of one of antiquity’s most beloved poets, whose life unfolds from a modest village on the rugged Apulian coast to the glittering streets of Rome. Born to a freedman who, despite poverty, ensured his son received an elite education, Horace’s early years are painted with vivid images of crystal springs, wind‑swept hills, and a childhood moment when woodland birds seemed to crown him with leaves—a sign, he believed, of divine favor.

The narrative follows his rigorous schooling under the stern hand of the veteran teacher Orbilius, then his bold departure for Athens, where he absorbs the competing doctrines of Stoicism and Epicureanism. Rather than adopting any single creed, he fashions a practical, witty philosophy that shapes his poetry and his view of happiness. Listeners will discover how his humble origins, disciplined learning, and philosophical wanderings forged the voice that still resonates across centuries.