Urban Space and Roman History
Urban Space and Roman History
A treatment of the representation of the city in the works of Prudentius, especially in the Peristephanon and the Contra orationem Symmachi. Following a survey of early Christian ideas about the city, it is argued that Prudentius’ approach to the civic nature of martyrdom in the Peristephanon must be related to the contemporary Christian perception that earthly civic obligations are not fundamentally incompatible with participation in the heavenly city of the afterlife. The beginnings and endings of the hymns of the Peristephanon are particularly concerned with the relationship between martyr and city. Close reading of a number of opening passages shows how Prudentius emphasizes an intimate link between the presence of the martyr’s remains and a city’s prowess. Many of the concluding passages emphasize the communal aspect of the celebration of that martyr.
Keywords: martyrdom, cities, commemoration, Peristephanon, Contra orationem Symmachi
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