Ennodio e la conversione dell'eloquenza: l'hymnus sancti Cypriani (carm. 1.12H=343V)

In his hymn dedicated to Saint Cyprian, Ennodius focuses the traditional hagiographical theme concerning with the eloquence of Carthaginian bishop and martyr: beyond the religious content and the possible liturgical enjoyment, therefore, the hymn aims at celebrating a ‘converted’ facundia, which is able to put its own virtues and power in service of the needs of Christian faith; so, in regard to its real aim, the hymn could be put in a very prolific relation with the considerations about eloquence and poetry scattered in Ennodius’ whole literary production. So in Cyprian rhetorician, bishop and martyr, the poet finds a new possible model, in his constant attempt to conciliate the gift for literature with the obtained ecclesiastical status.