Quintus Horatius Flaccus (better known as Horace in the English-speaking world) was a Roman lyric poet who lived during the time of Augustus. The leading poet of his era, he also composed elegant hexameter verses and sarcastic iambic poetry. His father was a freed slave with strong capabilities who ensured that young Horace received a strong foundation in education. He continued his education in Athens and enrolled at The Academy founded by Plato. It was here that he developed a deep interest in the ancient tradition of Greek lyric poetry. As an educated youth, he began his military service high in the ranks and commanded a legion at the Battle of Philippi. He later returned to his father’s now lost estate and took up a job as a scribe. As a poet, he often wrote on topics, such as politics, love, philosophy, and ethics. His collection of Latin lyrical poems, Odes, is considered to be one of the best lyrical works of all time. With poems on a range of subjects, the collection also included poems of eulogy addressed to Augustus. His surviving works also include three books of letters or epistles and two books of satire.