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Horace 3.14: Augustus Returns 23BC (Key Themes (Peace through war,…
Horace 3.14: Augustus Returns 23BC
Key Themes
Peace through war
Positive portrayal of women
Imperator
Importance of religious observances
Prosperity for the Roman people
Key Quote
The second paragraph, shows the women of the Imperial household are being used as role models. Livia is linked with the practising of ritual sacrifice, in the absence of her husband which adds to her virtue. Augustus can trust Livia to maintain the household and honour the gods whilst he is away.
Famous leader's sister
reference to Octavia
Having sacrificed to the true gods
sign of a pious woman.
Dressed in holy ribbons
implies a religious festival as well as the celebration of Augustus' return
Young girls who are still without husbands
Maintain silence and do not spoil the atmosphere. As they are viewed as going against what an ideal Roman woman was expected to be, immoral.
Matchless husband
No one is worthy of Augsutus
Jar that's old as the Marsian War
Time of celebration, get the best wine out.
Escape Spartacus' eyes
reference to Rome prevailing over the opposition.
All her perfumed hair in a knot
Roman tradition, the Head of Livia (prescribed source)
Hot Youth
Horace admits that he didn't know a good leader when he saw one. He hadn't supported Augustus, Horace previously fought on the side of Brutus at the Battle of Philippi, but Horace was shown clementia and pardoned by Augustus.
Overall Thoughts
Prosperity for the Roman people
Piety via religious observances
Supports Augustus' message, through war peace.
However, it is important to remember that the role models that Horace portrays in the poems wasn't and weren't necessarily accurate. This is because, Julia the elder and Julia the younger were both exiled.
The poem welcomes Augustus home as a war hero. He has sought the laurel wreath at the risk of death.
The laurel wreath was a symbol of military victory .
Therefore, commemorating Augustus' return from the campaigns in Gaul and Spain
Significance
Was written to commemorate the return of Augustus from military campaigns in Gaul. It touches on common themes of Augustan poetry.