Venantius Fortunatus, a sixth-century poet writing in Merovingian Gaul, has received increasing attention as more scholars have realised the inventiveness of late antique poetry. In his new edition and translation for the Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, Michael Roberts provides for the first time an English translation of the entire corpus of Fortunatus’ poetry (minus the Vita Sancti Martini, already available elsewhere).
In sum, Roberts’ edition and translation is an impressive achievement, and a very welcome volume for specialists and general readers alike. Students will benefit from its price and readability, with Roberts’ notes guiding them through multiple layers of meaning. Specialists will appreciate having what will undoubtedly become the standard edition of Fortunatus’ poetry in an accessible format on their own bookshelves. And greater accessibility means we can expect even greater scholarly exploration to come. With Roberts’ volume, Fortunatus returns to us here and now.
Erica Buchberger
Journal of Roman Studies
