Horace in the Army & Education

His father was a farmer who saved money for his education where Horace himself later went to Rome for his primary education and later to Athens to study Greek philosophy. After the assassination of Julius Caesar, Horace joined the ranks as a staff officer in Brutus' army. Horace fought in the battle of Phillip, and later wrote that the only reason he lived was because he threw down his shield and sword and ran. He later returned to Italy after amnesty was granted by Augustus, and found his estate confiscated along with his father being dead.