Final answer:
Horace was a Roman writer who created satires and poetry around 35 BC, discussing themes of contentment and the art of literature during the Augustan period. His works contrasted with the epic poetry of Virgil, the provocative verses of Catullus, and the harsh satires of Juvenal and Martial, exhibiting a distinct blend of moral philosophy and art critique.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Roman writer Horace, known for his influential works during the Augustan period, wrote poetry and satires around 35 BC that explored themes such as human contentment and the art of literature. Horace's satires often engaged with contemporary Roman society, challenging social norms and commenting on personal and ethical behavior.
His poetic works, however, delved into aesthetics, pleasure, and the purpose of art, as seen in Ars Poetica, where he emphasized the blending of pleasure and instruction in literary creations.
His viewpoints on morality and aesthetics reflected a complex understanding of the social fabric of his time and have remained important for the study of Roman literature and culture.
Horace was also known for his philosophical outlook on life, as he highlighted the importance of contentment and simplicity. This philosophical stance can be seen in contrast to his contemporaries like Virgil, who represented the zenith of Roman epic poetry, and Catullus, whose work challenged traditional notions of Roman masculinity and propriety.
In contrast to the more vitriolic satires of Juvenal and Martial in the 1st century CE, Horace's contributions to the genre were comparatively moderate yet insightful.