Abstract
Abstract The theory that the first three books of Horace’s Odes were published together is based on arguments which do not stand up to open-minded analysis (§§ 2–3). In particular, the dating of the individual odes, in the few cases that can be established with any sound grounds, far from corroborating this theory rather reveals that three periods can be distinguished quite well for the composition of the three books (§ 3.3). Various elements, notable among them certain consistent evolutions in the metre, demonstrate that the books were in fact composed in series, and various findings of a historical nature provide confirmation of the composition-periods already detected (§§ 4.1–3). The Roman odes, however, demand different years, and their composition, completed at the time of Book III, had already begun and had progressed at least at the time of Book II (§ 4.1.3). Given these results, the hypothesis that the three books were published separately and in sequence is the most economical, best reflects Horace’s habits, and explains or eliminates some anomalies, but it is also supported by various specific indications (§ 4.4–6). We may conclude that Odes I, II and III appeared, respectively, at the end of AD 28, during 25, and in 23 or 22.
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