Prosper of Aquitaine's Poetical Synthesis of Augustinian Theology: A New Edition of the Liber epigrammatum

Prosper of Aquitaine was Augustine's most important early interpreter, defender, and promoter. He was among the earliest scholars to distinguish Augustine by gathering together brief statements (sententiae) from the vast ocean of Augustine's writings. This epitome to a large extent set up the parameters for one mode of reading of this complex and variegated theologian. Prosper then fashioned poetic renderings based on his Augustinian sententiae in the form of a collection of epigrams (Liber epigrammatum), thereby continuing the tradition practice of employing poetry for the service of philosophical and theological discourse. Prosper's choices of theme and language determined the contours of Augustinian exegesis for many centuries. This dissertation is something of a prolegomenon to the further study of the early centuries of the interpretation and transmission of Augustine's theological reflections. It provides a study of the epigrams' genesis and transmission along with the first modern critical edition and English translation. By providing a new textual reckoning of the epigrams, it will be possible to fix the contours of Prosper's (and therefore Augustine's) influence and establish a sound textual footing for further investigations.