Torquatus : L Manlius Torquatus was consul in 65BC, the year of Horace’s birth.

Corvinus : Marcus Valerius Massalla Corvinus was the patron of the poet Tibullus. He had been a student with Horace in Athens in 42BC. He later commanded part of Augustus’ fleet at Actium.

Socratic ideas : Socrates was a Greek philosopher. He demonstrated a method of careful questioning to pursue the truth, and was condemned to death by the democracy in Athens, who accused him of corrupting the youth.

Cato the Censor (234-149BC) was a soldier, author and orator, whose life epitomised the ancient Roman republican virtues. He was criticised for drunkenness, but, according to Seneca, whoever accused him would find it easier to prove that the crime was respectable than that Cato was thereby disgraced.

Liber : literally the ‘free one’, usually identified with Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry. Venus : the goddess of love. In combination : drunkenness and lust.

Phoebus : Apollo, the sun.