The father of the Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace) accompanied;his son to Rome, where he entered the boy in the best school he could find. The touching account of his father's diligent interest shows how important education could be, especially for the son of a former slave, as Horace was. Education enabled Roman citizens and former slaves and their children to rise above their humble origins.

If, to venture on self-praise, my life is free from stain and guilt and I am loved by my friends, I owe this to my father, who, though poor with a starveling farm, would not send me to the school of Flavius, to which grand boys used to go, sons of grand centurions, with slate and satchel slung over the left arm, each carrying his eightpence on the Ides. Nay, he boldly...