Quintus Horatius Flaccus, commonly known as Horace, was a prominent Roman poet born on December 8, 65 BCE, in Venusia, a town in southern Italy. He came from a relatively modest background; his father was a freedman who worked as a collector of taxes. Despite these humble beginnings, Horace received a solid education, studying in Rome and later in Athens, where he was influenced by the philosophical teachings of the Stoics and the Epicureans.

Horace's literary career began after he served as a military tribune in Brutus’s army during the civil wars that followed Julius Caesar’s assassination. Following the defeat of Brutus, Horace returned to Rome, where he began to write poetry. His first significant work, the "Satires," was a collection of poems that provided social commentary on Roman life. However, it was the "Odes," published in various collections, that solidified his reputation as one of Rome's greatest poets. These lyrical poems celebrated love, friendship, and the beauty of nature and were characterized by their musicality and philosophical depth. Other notable works include the "Epodes" and "Ars Poetica," a poetic manifesto on the art of poetry itself.

Horace's personal life was marked by a certain reticence; he never married and lived a relatively solitary life, which allowed him to focus on his craft. His friendships with influential figures such as the Emperor Augustus and the poet Virgil provided him with both inspiration and patronage. Horace died on November 27, 8 BCE, in Rome, leaving behind a legacy that would influence poets for centuries to come. His work continues to be celebrated for its elegance, wit, and profound insights into the human condition, cementing his place as a quintessential figure in the canon of Western literature.