Orthodox Forge

The Fathers

Juvencus

ca. 330

Who he was

  • Juvencus, C. Vettius Aquallinus, a Christian poet, by birth a Spaniard, descended from a noble family.
  • He was a presbyter, and composed his poem on the Gospels during the reign of peace established by Constantine.
  • His works show an acquaintance with the chief Latin poets.

What he wrote

  • Historia Evangelica: This is the only extant work attributed to him on the authority of St. Jerome.
  • It is a hexameter poem on our Lord’s life, based upon the Gospels.
  • It is of interest as the first Christian epic, the first effort to tell the Gospel story in a metrical form.

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