Quintus Horatius Flaccus ( December 8 , 65 BC - November 27 , 8 BC ) , known to English speakers as Horace , was a famous poet in the Roman Empire . Quintus Horatius Flaccus ( Venusia , December 8 , 65 BC â `` Rome , November 27 , 8 BC ) , known in the English-speaking world as Horace , was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus .