Biblical and Pastoral Poetry (Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library)

Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus, bishop of Vienne and a vigorous defender of Christian orthodoxy, was born into the senatorial aristocracy in southern Gaul in the mid-fifth century and lived until 518. The verse inÊBiblical and Pastoral PoetryÊwas written in the late fifth or early sixth century. AvitusÕs most famous work, theÊSpiritual History, narrates the biblical stories of creation, the Fall and expulsion from paradise, the Flood, and the IsraelitesÕ escape from Egypt. He revitalizes Christian epic poetry, highlighting original sin and redemption and telling the history of Christian salvation with dramatic dialogue and rich description.ÊIn Consolatory Praise of Chastity_a verse treatise addressed to his sister, a consecrated virgin_illuminates the demands of the ascetic life from the perspective of a close family member. Avitus seeks to bolster his sisterÕs resolve with biblical examples of mental fortitude, constructing a robust model for female heroism. This volume presents new English translations of AvitusÕs two extant poetic writings alongside the Latin texts.