His best known works are his Cathemerina, a series of poems on the Christian’s day and life, of which the most graceful and pathetic is the Funeral Hymn, e.g.
Iam maesta quiesce querella,
Lacrimas suspendite matres,
Nullus sua pignora plangat,
Mors haec reparatio vitae est,
and his Peristephanon (περὶ στεφάνων liber) in praise of Christian martyrs. ‘These represent the most substantial addition to Latin lyrical poetry since Horace.’—Mackail. We also have his Contra Symmachum in two Books of indifferent hexameter verse, in which he combats Symmachus (Consul 391 A.D.), the last champion of the old faith, and claims the victories of the Christian Stilicho as triumphs alike of Rome and of the Cross.
‘Prudentius has his distinct place and office in the field of Latin literature, as the chief author who bridged the gulf between pagan poetry and Christian hymnology.’—North Pinder.
MARCUS FABIUS QUINTILIANUS, circ. 35-95 A.D.
1. Life.
QUINTILIAN.