Dracontius und der Mythos: Christliche Weltsicht und pagane Kultur in der ausgehenden Spätantike

Dracontius' work covers religious and profane poetry, including some short epics, which stand out from better-known versions of the myths, due to their variations, which are difficult to interpret. The relationship between the groups of works is disputed. Using the religious poetry, these studies initially deal with the main features of his worldview and ethics as well as his concepts of gods and myths, and examine in detail the extensive use of myths in the Laudes Dei. Using this as a basis and referring to the mythical traditions, the short epic Medea and De raptu Helenae are thoroughly analysed and interpreted. During this process the remaining profane poetry is considered and perspectives for its interpretation are demonstrated. Dracontius' approach to myth is no longer influenced by Christian rejection, allegorical appropriation or uncritical reverence of tradition, rather it is based on his new interpretations of the myths in religious and profane poetry as a synthesis of Christian world view and pagan culture. They bear witness to the altered relationship of Christians to these traditions in the late Classical period. Frontmatter......Page 1 I. Einleitung......Page 7 II. Dracontius' Weltsicht in seiner religiösen Dichtung......Page 29 III. Paganer Mythos und pagane Götter in den Laudes Dei......Page 73 IV. Medea (Rom. 10)......Page 161 V. De Raptu Helenae (Rom. 8)......Page 227 VI. Orestis tragoedia......Page 313 VII. Dracontius und der pagane Mythos. Schlußbetrachtungen......Page 365 Literaturverzeichnis......Page 379 Stellenindex......Page 397 Namen- und Sachindex......Page 420 Von Roswitha Simons. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (doctoral) - Universität, Hamburg, 2004. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [373]-390).