The Satire of Horace: Ludentum Dicere Verum

Although Greek poets cultivated the spirit of satire in comedy and iambic poetry, satire as a genre with a distinct tradition is believed to have begun in Rome. One of the earliest satirists whose work remains intact is Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65–8 B.C.) Considered to be one of the greatest lyric poets of the world, his poetry ranges from lampoons or iambi (Epodes), sermons/conversations (Satires and Epistles) to his lyrics (Odes). Horace is credited with contributing to the emergence of satire as a literary genre and with influencing subsequent literary satire.