The origin of sin : an English translation of the Hamartigenia

249 Pages·2011·2.82 MB·English

by  Prudentius

The Origin of Sin
A VOLUME IN THE SERIES
Cornell Studies in Classical Philology
Edited by Frederick M. Ahl, Th eodore R. Brennan, Charles F. Brittain,
Kevin M. Clinton, Gail J. Fine, David P. Mankin, Sturt W. Manning, Alan J.
Nussbaum, Hayden N. Pelliccia, Pietro Pucci, Hunter R. Rawlings, III, Éric
Rebillard, Jeff rey S. Rusten, Barry S. Strauss
VOLUME LXI
The Origin of Sin
An En glish Translation of the Hamartigenia
Prudentius
Translated and with an Interpretive Essay by Martha A. Malamud
A list of titles in this series is available at www. cornellpress. cornell. edu.
The Origin of Sin
An En glish Translation of the Hamartigenia
•
PRUDENTIUS
Translated and with an Interpretive Essay by
Martha A. Malamud
CORNELL UNIVERSITY PRESS ITHACA AND LONDON
Copyright © 2011 by Cornell University
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book,
or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in
writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press,
Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.
First published 2011 by Cornell University Press
First printing, Cornell Paperbacks, 2011
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Prudentius, b. 348.
[Hamartigenia. English]
Th e origin of sin : an English translation of the Hamartigenia / Prudentius ;
translated and with an interpretive essay by Martha A. Malamud.
p. cm. — (Cornell studies in classical philology ; v. 61)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8014-4222-3 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-0-8014-8872-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Christian poetry, Latin—Translations into English. I. Malamud, Martha A.,
1957– II. Title. III. Series : Cornell studies in classical philology ; v. 61.
PA6648.P6 H3313
871'.01—dc23
2011021222
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In memory of my beloved aunt,
Gisela Wehrhan Christian
•
. . . though fall’n on evil dayes,
On evil days though fall’n, and evil tongues;
In darkness, and with dangers compast round,
And solitude; yet not alone . . .
Milton, Paradise Lost

CONTENTS
Ack nowl edg ments ix
Note on Translations and Editions xi
THE ORIGIN OF SIN: AN ENG LISH TRANSLATION
Preface 3
Th e Origin of Sin 7
AN INTERPRETIVE ESSAY
Introduction 51
1. Writing in Chains 56
2. Figuring It Out 76
3. Seeking Hidden Truth 85
4. Falling into Language 96
5. Under Assault 112
6. Generation of Vipers 129
7. Signs of Woe 140
8. In Aenigmate 170
Notes 197
References 213
Index 223

AC KNOW LEDG MENTS
T
HIS BOOK HAS BENEFITED GREATLY from the hard work of others—
especially Christopher Francese and Marc Mastrangelo, who had no
reason, other than collegiality at the highest level, and love of scholar-
ship, for expending so much eff ort on a project not their own. Chris Francese
sent me detailed, cogent comments on almost every page of the translation, and
Marc Mastrangelo provided equally detailed and challenging comments on the
essay. I gratefully acknowledge their expertise and generosity.
Emily Albu read and commented on both the text and the translation in sev-
eral versions and helped clarify the structure of the argument and the placement
of notes in the translation. Rebecca Krawiec made me aware of signifi cant bibli-
ography that would have otherwise escaped me. Margaret Malamud and Don
McGuire put up with reading and hearing about innumerable versions of the
evolving manuscript; I thank them for their patience and encouragement. Neil
Coff ee deserves thanks for taking up the slack in the department when I was on
leave and distracted by administrative duties. Brad Ault and Renee Bush pro-
vided crucial support in the late stages of the project. John Dugan, coeditor of
Arethusa, shouldered an extra editorial burden and provided advice, encourage-
ment, and friendship throughout the writing of this book. And I thank Frederick
Ahl, who has been an inspiration for many years; my approach to Latin poetry
bears his indelible stamp.
Th e anonymous readers for Cornell University Press set high standards and
off ered incisive comments that have substantially improved the translation. I
also benefi ted from the comments of the lively students and faculty of the Uni-
versity of Toronto Department of Classics, and the participants in the Pacifi c
Rim Roman Literature Seminar in Christchurch, New Zealand. Portions of this
essay (Malamud 2002) fi rst appeared in the Journal of Early Christian Studies,
whose anonymous readers were extremely helpful. I thank Bruce McCombe,
dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buff alo, and the
Department of Classics there for granting me a semester of research leave that
enabled me to complete this project.