As the peace of the Roman world was maintained by the strong hand of
power, it was at this time that many of those arts that grow best during
seasons of national order and prosperity made their greatest progress.
Thus many of the best-known Latin writers lived at this time.
Augustus himself was a great patron of literary men and artists, and so
was his minister, Caius Cilinius Mæcenas. They honored and rewarded
eminent writers; and though we must not forget that many of the
distinguished men whose writings add luster to the “Augustan Age” had
grown up under the republic, still Augustus deserves credit for
fostering letters. Nothing will make up for the loss of political
freedom; but it is something that in Rome, when liberty was lost,
literature at least flourished.
Among the distinguished writers of this age or the times immediately
preceding it are the poets Virgil, Horace, Lucretina and Catullus; and
the historian, Sallust.