The Works of Ausonius

Critical text of the fourth century poet Ausonius of Bordeaux, whose works range from the scurrilous to the elevatedly Christian. This volume contains four introductory chapters on his life and work, and influence, and a commentary. The text itself contains over 100 new emendations.

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Ausonius of Bordeaux, poet, professor, and statesman, whose long life almost spanned the fourth century AD, lived at a time of great cultural and political change, and was for many years, as an imperial courtier, closely involved in the administration of the Roman Empire. A prolific and original writer, Ausonius covers an astonishing stylistic range in his many and varied poems, from an elaborate description of the river Moselle to after-dinner diversions, from scurrilous epigrams to the stately verses in which he proclaims his Christian beliefs or his eminence as consul. This revised text of Ausonius' complete works, with over a hundred new emendations, is followed by a detailed commentary. Four introductory chapters consider the nature of Ausonius' poetry, his life and career, his influence, and the manuscripts of his works.