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E06580: Aldhelm, in his prose On Virginity, names *Justina/Ioustina (virgin and martyr of Antioch, S01704) as an exemplary virgin. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/686.
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posted on 2018-09-21, 00:00 authored by bsavillAldhelm, prose On Virginity, 43
Denique Iustina, iustitiae bernacula, ab orthodoxis non contemnenda virago, cum Dioclitianus imperii sceptris infeliciter fungeretur, quanta vel qualia apud Antiochiam pro virginitate servanda pertulerit, quis mediocri fretus ingenio expedire se posse gloriatur, ni cuncta signorum et prodigiorum gesta, quae litterarum apicibus inserta leguntur, diligenter didicerit? Quam neque e procus ab integritatis arce detrudere nec magica maleficorum necromantia ullatenus vincere valuerunt [...]
'As for the great and mighty (sufferings) which JUSTINA, a handmaiden of justice and a heroine not to be disdained by the orthodox, endured on behalf of her virginity at Antioch, at the time when Diocletian cursedly was in control of the sceptre of imperial power, what author, who could call on only mediocre talent, will boast that he can narrate them, if he has not diligently learned all the occurrences of signs and miracles which are inscribed in written characters (in books)? Her suitor could not force her from the citadel of impurity, nor could the magic incantations of sorcerers overcome her in any way [...]'
Text: Ehwald 1919, 295. Translation: Lapidge and Herren 1979, 109-10.
Denique Iustina, iustitiae bernacula, ab orthodoxis non contemnenda virago, cum Dioclitianus imperii sceptris infeliciter fungeretur, quanta vel qualia apud Antiochiam pro virginitate servanda pertulerit, quis mediocri fretus ingenio expedire se posse gloriatur, ni cuncta signorum et prodigiorum gesta, quae litterarum apicibus inserta leguntur, diligenter didicerit? Quam neque e procus ab integritatis arce detrudere nec magica maleficorum necromantia ullatenus vincere valuerunt [...]
'As for the great and mighty (sufferings) which JUSTINA, a handmaiden of justice and a heroine not to be disdained by the orthodox, endured on behalf of her virginity at Antioch, at the time when Diocletian cursedly was in control of the sceptre of imperial power, what author, who could call on only mediocre talent, will boast that he can narrate them, if he has not diligently learned all the occurrences of signs and miracles which are inscribed in written characters (in books)? Her suitor could not force her from the citadel of impurity, nor could the magic incantations of sorcerers overcome her in any way [...]'
Text: Ehwald 1919, 295. Translation: Lapidge and Herren 1979, 109-10.