Commentary, with introduction, text and translation, on selected poems of Theordulf of Orleans (Sirmond III. 1-6)

Abstract

The first introductory chapter addresses the facts of Theodulf's life and career and the primary and secondary source material that supports these facts and attempts to establish a firm outline of his life and career.

The second chapter looks at Theodulf's position and work in the court, and his relations with the court, in particular his relations with Alcuin. The chapter also discusses the importance of panegyric and patronage for Theodulf.

The third and last introductory chapter is a detailed analysis of the poetry of Theodulf as a whole. This chapter looks at the subject, language and prosody of the poems and the influence on them from other poets.

The six poems then follow. Each is first prefaced by a short introduction, then the text is given with a translation on the following page, the text and translation for each poem is then followed by a line by line commentary, noting literary and historical points of interest.