Latin Literature of the Fourth Century (Routledge Revivals)

This volume, offering an insight into the literary world of Rome in the fourth century AD, reflects an increased interest in the writers of the 150 years before the collapse of the Western Empire, who have long been over-shadowed by the pre-eminence accorded since the eighteenth century to the Golden and Silver ages.

Among the writers examined are Ausonius, the poet, Imperial official and tutor to Gratian; Claudian, the last major 'classical' poet; Prudentius, and Paulinus of Nola, two of the founders of Christian Latin poetry; Symmachus, the letter writer and supporter of die-hard paganism; and St. Augustine, whose influence on Christian thought and the Middle Ages is incalculable. These essays consider how such writers responded to a world where vitality was ebbing from the old forms of political life, religion and literature, giving way to new institutions, modes of life and horizons of reflection.

List of contents

Introduction J.W. Binns ; Abbreviations; 1. Paganism, Christianity and the Latin Classics in the Fourth Century R.A. Markus 2. Decimus Magnus Ausonius: The Poet and His World Harold Isbell 3. The Letters of Symmachus J.F. Matthews 4. The Two Worlds of Paulinus of Nola W.H.C. Frend 5. Claudian Alan Cameron 6. Prudentius Valerie Edden ; Subject Index; Name Index

About the author

Binns, J.

Product details

• Authors: J. Binns
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 04.12.2013
• EAN: 9780415740043
• ISBN: 978-0-415-74004-3
• No. of pages: 189
• Series: Routledge Revivals
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Classical linguistics / literary studies; LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Essays, HISTORY / Ancient / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / Ancient & Classical, LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Ancient & Classical, FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Latin, Literature: history & criticism, Ancient History, Classical history / classical civilisation, Literature: history and criticism, Ancient, classical and medieval texts