Venantius Fortunatus: Personal and Political Poems (Liverpool University Press - Translated Texts for Historians)

Translated with notes and introduction by Judith George. Venantius Fortunatus, writing in the latter half of the 6th century, was not only a major Latin poet, but also an important historical figure. Born in the north of Italy and given a classical education in Ravenna, he travelled as a young man to seek patronage in the courts of Merovingian Gaul, writing both formal and informal poetry for three of the royal brothers, Sigibert, Charibert and Chilperic, and for many influential figures in ecclesiastical and secular life. He settled eventually in Poitiers, as the close friend of the ex-queen Radegund, of Agnes, abbess of the community Radegund had founded, and of the major historian of the period, Gregory of Tours. In this period of cultural tradition, Venantius played an important part in adapting and developing literary traditions, influencing not only his contemporaries but succeeding generations as well. He also played a personal role in events of national and international significance, and his poems give glimpses of the individual lives and characters of his patrons, painting a picture of a literary, not merely literate, culture which complements Gregory's canvas of bloodthirsty dynastic fueding. Venantius Fortunatus, Writing In The Latter Half Of The Sixth Century, Was Not Only A Major Latin Poet, But Also An Important Historical Figure. Born In The North Of Italy And Given A Classical Education In Ravenna, He Travelled As A Young Man To Seek Patronage In The Courts Of Merovingian Gaul, Writing Both Formal And Informal Poetry For Three Of The Royal Brothers, Sigibert, Charibert And Chilperic, And For Many Influential Figures In Ecclesiastical And Secular Life. He Settled Eventually In Poitiers, As The Close Friend Of The Ex-queen Radegund, Of Agnes, Abbess Of The Community Radegund Had Founded, And The Major Historian Of The Period, Gregory Of Tours. In The Period Of Cultural Transition, He Played An Important Part In Adapting And Developing Literary Traditions, Influencing Not Only His Contemporaries But Also Succeeding Generations. He Also Played A Personal Role In Events Of National And International Significance; His Poems Allow Us Vivid Glimpses Of The Individual Lives And Characters Of His Patrons, Painting A Picture Of A Literary, Not Merely Literate, Culture, Which Complement's Gregory's Canvas Of Bloodthirsty Dynastic Feuding.--book Jacket. Translated With Notes And Introduction By Judith George. Includes Appendices. 'biographical Notes' : P. 123-132. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 133-149) And Index. Abbreviations xi Genealogical table of the Merovingian Royal Family xv Map of Europe at the time of Fortunatus xvi Introduction xvii Book Three 1 Book Four 5 Book Five 17 Book Six 25 Book Seven 57 Book Eight 69 Book Nine 73 Book Ten 97 Book Eleven 103 Appendix 111 Biographical notes 123 Select bibliography 133 Index 151