The Gospel as Epic in Late Antiquity: The Paschale Carmen of Sedulius

According Aeneid appeared begins believers biblical epics Cana century Chapter Christ Christian poet church Classical composition connection consider continued critical Curtius dated death describes disciples discussion divine early edition entire episode evangelist example exercise fifth fifth-century figure follows four Gospels hexameters idea important includes influenced instance intended interested Italy Jesus John Juvencus known Late Antiquity Latin Latin poets least letter lines literary Literature Macedonius material mention Middle Ages Milton miracles narrative nature Nestorius observes Old Testament original pagan paradise paraphrase Paschale carmen passage poem poet's poetae poetic poetry popular practice present probably prose Prudentius readers reference retells rhetorical Roberts salvation Sedulius seems shepherd simply story structure suggests tells tion tradition translation verse Virgil wedding wine write written