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Document Details :

Title: The Influence of the Historian Florus on Prudentius' Libri contra Symmachum
Author(s): PARTOENS, G.
Journal: Ancient Society
Volume: 30    Date: 2000   
Pages: 331-347
DOI: 10.2143/AS.30.0.565567

Abstract :
Sometime during the first years of the 5th century the Latin Christian poet Prudentius wrote his Libri contra Symmachum. In this hexametrical poem consisting of two books he replied to some of the pro-pagan arguments formulated by the senator Quintus Aurelius Symmachus in his famous third Relatio of 384 addressed to the emperors Valentinian II, Arcadius and Theodosius. Prudentius’ reply was partly influenced by the 18th letter of St Ambrose, also written in 384 and containing a vigorous Christian attack on Symmachus’ pagan apology. In this article I will discuss the influence which the Epitome by the 2nd-century historian Florus had on Prudentius’ poem.

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