The Works of Prudentius is a collection of momentous poems by the fourth-century Roman hymn writer and poet Prudentius. Born into a Christian home, he studied religion, literature, and rhetoric. His poetry was strongly influenced by the Bible, the martyrs, and the works of Tertullian and Saint Ambrose.
His lyrical works have endured—hymns such as “Corde Natus Ex Parentis” (“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”) and “O Sola Magnarum Urbium” (“Earth Has Many a Noble City”) from Liber Cathemerinon remain in use today. Prudentius’ most significant literary contribution, however, is Psychomachia, which is considered the first major work of pure Christian allegory. The tale of virtue versus vice paved the way for works of medieval allegorical literature like The Divine Comedy, Piers Plowman, Everyman, and even Pilgrim’s Progress.
The first volume also includes Prudentius’ didactic works Apotheosis, in which he defends the divinity of Christ, and Hamartigenia, in which he refutes the gnostic dualism of Marcion. The second volume features Peristephanon Liber, 14 hymns describing the acts of mostly Spanish martyrs, as well as Tituli Historiarum, 49 four-line stanzas chronicling iconic Bible scenes.
