What we learn only through the ears makes less impression upon our minds than what is presented to the trustworthy eye.

Some of his iambic poetry has seemed repulsive to modern audiences. Life
Most of what we know about Horace comes from a short biography probably written by Suetonius (Vita Horati) and from Horace's own poetry. In that case young Horace could have felt himself to be a Roman though there are also indications that he regarded himself as a Samnite or Sabellus by birth.

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Horace also crafted elegant hexameter verses (Sermones and Epistles) and caustic iambic poetry (Epodes). His poetry became "the common currency of civilization" and he still retains a devoted following despite some loss of popularity after World War I (perhaps due to mistrust of old-fashioned patriotism and imperial glory with which he had become associated). Some of his iambic poetry has seemed repulsive to modern audiences.