La description du déluge dans Avit Carm., 4, 429-540 : usurpatio et renouatio du poncif épique de la tempête

Abstract

The subject of the 4th canto of the biblical epic written by Avitus from Vienne, De spiritalis historiae gestis, is the Flood. In the final part of the poem (v. 429-540), the author describes the cataclysm which completely destroys the world created by God. As a poeta doctus, Avitus joins the classical epic tradition in which the theme of the storm braved by the hero is a common place, as Seneca the Rhetor’s school exercises confirm. Thus, in Avitus’s poem, classical inspiration can be detected : Vergil’s description of the storm (Aen. 1, 102-141), several storms described by Lucan in his Pharsalia (5, 504- 677; 9, 319-347 and 445-492) and especially the flood in Ovid’s Metamorphosis (1, 244-365) and Seneca’s description and explanation of the stoïc flood in Naturales quaestiones (3, 27). Nevertheless, far from slavish imitation of those classical models, the Christian poet expresses his own creativity by adapting this classical theme to his Christological epic. A close study of Avitus’ description shows a significant work of retractatio and adaptatio of the classical theme, especially by inserting two minor exegetical digressions explaining the typology of the biblical Flood. Therefore, the poet – a bishop – by cleverly blending classical sources such as Virgilian language and images with biblical sources shows proof of originality to expose and defend catholic dogma.