Maecenas was a wealthy Etruscan and friend
of Augustus. He lived from 70 BC-8 AD.
Acting in a manner similar to that of Medici, he encouraged and
supported talented writers.
Vergil and Horace were two of those who benefited from his support.
Horace, son of a wealthy freedman but supporter of the wrong
side of political issues, needed the financial backing. Vergil received
support after agreeing to write the dream of Augustus, an epic celebrating
the emperor himself and Rome.
Source: The Oxford History of the Classical World,
edited by Oswyn Murray,
John Boardman, and Jasper Griffin.