E05957: Prudentius, in his Latin Crowns of the Martyrs (Peristephanon), written c. 400 in Calahorra (northern Spain), in a poem on the martyrdom of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) tells of the gradual waning of pagan cults in Rome after the death of Laurence and the rise of Christian practices – visiting the churches, especially that of Laurence, prayer and singing of hymns, veneration of relics.

Liber Peristephanon II.485–536

485 Hic finis orandi fuit
et finis idem uinculi
carnalis; erupit uolens
uocem secutus spiritus.

Vexere corpus subditis
490 ceruicibus quidam patres,
quos mira libertas uiri
ambire Christum suaserat.

Repens medullas indoles
adflarat et coegerat
495 amore sublimis dei
odisse nugas pristinas.

Refrixit ex illo die
cultus deorum turpium;
plebs in sacellis rarior,
500 Christi ad tribunal curritur.

Sic dimicans Laurentius
non ense praecinxit latus,
hostile sed ferrum retro
torquens in auctorem tulit.

505 Dum daemon inuictum dei
testem lacessit proelio,
perfossus ipse concidit
et stratus aeternum iacet.

Mors illa sancti martyris
510 mors uera templorum fuit,
tunc Vesta Palladios lares
inpune sensit deseri.

Quidquid Quiritum sueuerat
orare simpuuium Numae,
515 Christi frequentans atria
hymnis resultat martyrem.

Ipsa et senatus lumina,
quondam luperci aut flamines,
apostolorm et martyrum
520 exosculantur limina.

Videmus inlustres domos
sexu ex utroque nobiles
offerre uotis pignera
clarissimorum liberum.

525 Vittatus olim pontifex
adscitur in signum crucis
aedemque, Laurenti, tuam
Vestalis intrat Claudia.

O ter quaterque et septies
530 beatus urbis incola
qui te ac tuorum comminus
sedem celebrat ossuum,

cui propter aduolui licet,
qui fletibus spargit locum,
535 qui pectus in terram premit,
qui uota fundit murmure!


'So ended his prayer, and with it ended his imprisonment in the flesh; the spirit broke forth eagerly after his words. Certain senators carried the body on their shoulders, whom the hero's marvellous independence had persuaded to seek the favour of Christ. A new disposition had suddenly inspired their inmost hearts and from love of the most high God constrained them to hate their former follies. (497) From that day the worship of those base gods flagged, the people were seen in smaller numbers at their shrines, and there was a rush to the sanctuary of Christ. In this warfare Laurence did not gird a sword on his side, but turned back the foe's steel against its wielder. In making war on God's indomitable witness, the devil was stabbed himself and fell, and now lies prostrate for ever. (509) The death the holy martyr died was in truth the death of the temples. That day Vesta saw her Palladian house-spirits deserted and no vengeance follow. All the Romans who used to reverence Numa's libation-cup now crowd the churches of Christ and sound the martyr's name in hymns. The very ornaments of the senate, men who once served as Luperci or flamines, now eagerly kiss the thresholds of the apostles and martyrs. (521) We see distinguished families, where both sides are high-born, dedicate their dear ones, their noble children. The priest who once wore the head-bands is admitted to receive the sign of the cross and, Laurence, a Vestal Claudia enters your church. O thrice and four times, yea seven times blessed the dweller in Rome, who pays honour to you and the home of your bones in person, who can kneel by them, who sprinkles the spot with his tears, bowing his breast to the ground and in a low voice pouring out his prayers!'

Text: Cunnigham 1966: 274–275. Translation: Thomson 1953: 141, lightly modifed.