Vie de Cesaire d'Arles. Critical text by DOM G. MORIN. Introduction, translation, and notes by MARIE-JOSE DELAGE with MARC HEIJMANS.

Abstract

Caesarius of Arles, preacher and miracle-worker, has been very well served by Sources chrétiennes. Many of his sermons have appeared in four volumes of the series (175, 243, 330, and 447), and his monastic works in two (345 and 398). We now have, thanks to the labours of M.-J. Delage, who was responsible many years ago for three of the earlier volumes, a fine edition of the Vita of the saint. Enriched by the collaboration of M. Heijmans, who provides an appendix on the ecclesiastical buildings of Arles (with plans), it is prefaced by a really excellent long introduction that goes well beyond the Vita and forms a readable and well-documented account of the career of an often admirable man. The Vita was written (very soon after Caesarius’ death) by a committee, and not a particularly well-educated one, consisting of three bishops, a priest, and a deacon. The latter pair had served under Caesarius since youth, and, as appears from the final words of the first book, they were largely responsible for the second. There is accordingly a marked contrast between the two books; the first concentrates on the hero’s public character, while the second gives a more personal picture, in even less cultured language. The whole is a vital document for conditions in the war-torn Provence of the late fifth and early sixth century, and for the state of Latin at that time. This edition, which revises that of G. Morin, provides notes helpful for both the politics and the language.