Horatius
The poem tells the story of Horatius Cocles, a Roman soldier who defends Rome against an invading army from Etruria. The city's only bridge over the Tiber River has been destroyed, but Horatius remains behind to fight off the enemy while his fellow Romans escape. Horatius is depicted as a heroic figure, standing alone on the riverbank and fighting off wave after wave of attackers. Despite being vastly outnumbered, he holds his ground until the current carries him away from the shore, allowing the Romans to cross safely. The poem explores themes of patriotism, duty, and sacrifice, portraying Horatius as a symbol of Roman courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
By Thomas Babington Macaulay · First published 1842 · Genre: Epic Poetry, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 5,055 words
First lines
CHAPTER I
Lars Porsena of Closium By the Nine Gods he swore That the great house of Tarquin Should suffer wrong no more.
What this Textopian page supports
Horatius is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Babington Macaulay, dated 1842 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Thomas Babington Macaulay
- Date: 1842 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Epic Poetry, Historical Fiction, Adventure, War, Heroic
- Length: 5,055 words
- Structure: 1 section, 287 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Horatius by Thomas Babington Macaulay
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Horatius?
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Similar titles
- Horatius At The Bridge by James Baldwin
- Patriot Fighting For His Home by James Mcintyre
- The Battle Of The Lake Regillus by Thomas Babington Macaulay
- Aquileia by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Last Vendee by Alexandre Dumas
- The Siege Of Corinth by Lord Byron
Genres
- Epic Poetry — The work is a narrative poem that recounts heroic deeds and events, characteristic of epic poetry.
- Historical Fiction — The poem is based on historical events and figures from ancient Rome, blending fact with fiction.
- Adventure — The narrative involves action-packed sequences and the protagonist's daring exploits.
- War — The central theme revolves around a military conflict and the defense of Rome.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Poem · Epic · Roman Republic · Ancient Rome · War Story · Heroism · Bravery · Loyalty · Patriotism · Single Combat · Battle of the Bridge