Venantius Fortunatus: Vita Sancti MartiniPrologue and Books I–II

Presents a new critical edition of a fascinating Christian poetic work of late antiquity in a recognisably classical Latin tradition.

N. M. Kay (Edited and translated by)

9781108425841, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 February 2020

584 pages
22.3 x 14.5 x 3.3 cm, 0.89 kg

'Nigel M. Kay's edition, with its elegant but faithful translation and helpful … opens this enjoyable text to a wider readership and will be a useful tool for generations of scholars to come … Kay's text, translation and commentary is a masterpiece of philological craftmanship.' Enno Friedrich, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This volume provides a new critical text of the Prologue and the first two books of Venantius Fortunatus' Vita Sancti Martini, a work, written in the latter half of the sixth century, which paraphrases in epic verse the famous prose hagiography of St Martin by Sulpicius Severus. This edition offers the first English translation of and the first full commentary on that part of Venantius' poem. Venantius was one of the last writers in a recognisably classical Latin tradition and his Vita affords a fascinating insight into the language and literary culture of his time. It is, however, a deceptively allusive and difficult poem, and the introduction and commentary of this book deal extensively with matters of exegesis, textual criticism, language, metre and much else. It will be valuable for students of the literature and culture of late Latin antiquity, and for those interested in early Christianity and hagiography.

Introduction
Sigla
Text and translation
Commentary
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2], Christianity [HRC], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Language: history & general works [CBX]