The Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 BC) received an extensive education in Greek and Roman literature. As a minor scribe, he became acquainted with Virgil (70-19 BC) and, like the latter, became a favourite of Emperor Augustus (63 BC to 14 AD). His works are regarded as a model of accomplished "golden" Latinity, the designation for the literary epoch of the period from about 60 BC to AD 40, in which Roman poetry and prose reached the highest level of perfection in terms of content and language as well as form (other representatives were Julius Caesar, Cicero and Virgil).
His nine books have been preserved in their entirety. Wine is a central theme for him, he describes it almost enthusiastically. Horace wrote many drinking songs and mused about his death, which forced him to bid farewell to his wine cellar with its splendid old wine. He describes the top wines of Rome at the time in connection with the occasion of consumption, including the Campanian Caecuber from the coast south of Rome to celebrate the "downfall of the monster Cleopatra" (the suicide of the Egyptian ruler in 30 BC). However, he cannot afford what he considers the best wine, the Falernian, and says: "To spend a feast day with this would be supreme bliss". He thinks that wine, as a giver of poetic enthusiasm, is the drink befitting the poet. He recommends the honey wine Mulsum, which was popular with the Romans, before sumptuous feasts "to flush the intestines". The famous quotation "Carpe diem (Seize the day)" also comes from him. See also Ancient V ines, Ancient Wines, Satyricon and Drinking Culture.
