"Although the matter is the subject of scholarly controversy, it is remarkable to think that the poet Horace was almost certainly a member of Octavian's entourage on that early September day more than two thousand years ago. He owed his presence at the battle to his friendship with Gaius Maecenas, who was a member of Octavian's inner circle and may aptly be described as a 'minister' of the newly victorious leader. In his first collection of poems, Book 1 of the Sermones or 'Satires', published in 36/35 bc, the poet describes his first meeting with Maecenas two or three years earlier. His name had been mentioned to the great man by his friends and fellow poets Virgil and Varius, but, when he came into Maecenas' presence, overcome by the occasion, he was tongue-tied. Nevertheless, after nine months he was summoned back and 'ordered' to be counted among Maecenas' amici (S. 1.6.54-62)"--… (more)