Myth of Paganism: Nonnus, Dionysus and the World of Late Antiquity (Classical Literature and Society series)

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With the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman world in the fourth century AD, the role of the poet underwent a radical transformation. In place of the traditional poet of the Muses there emerged a new figure, claiming inspiration and authority from Christ. The poet of Christ soon came to eclipse the poet of the Muses, and in doingso established a conceptual framework that still drives modern approaches to the period. Christian poetry is taken 'seriously' as making a relevant and valuable contribution to our understanding of the late antique world; by contrast 'pagan' or 'secular' poetry is largely ignored, as though it were devoid of meaning.The Myth of Paganism seeks to re-evaluate the role of 'pagan' poetry in late antiquity. Instead of maintaining a strict dichotomy between 'pagan' and 'Christian', it presents a broader definition of these poets as active participants and collaborators in the creation of late antique culture. Attention focuses on an exploration of the contemporary resonance of Nonnus' Dionysiaca - traditionally regarded as a 'pagan' epic in terms of its theme and content, yet in all probability the work of a 'Christian' poet responsible for a Homeric-style retelling of St Johns Gospel.

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Robert Shorrock teaches Classics at Eton College, Windsor, and is co-editor of the journal Greece & Rome.