Confronting Crisis in the Carolingian Empire: Paschasius Radbertus’ Funeral Oration for Wala of Corbie
Andrew Romig
Reviewed by: Confronting Crisis in the Carolingian Empire: Paschasius Radbertus’ Funeral Oration for Wala of Corbie Andrew Romig Corbie. Translated and annotated by Mayke de Jong Justin Lake. (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2020. Pp. xx, 264. £19.99. ISBN: 9781526134844.) Empire presents a welcome new translation one ninth century’s more enigmatic literary texts, “Funeral Wala” (Epitaphium Arsenii) Radbertus. Until now, Anglophone Carolingianists have appreciatively consulted venerable, if sometimes eccentric, Allen Cabaniss, Charlemagne’s Cousins (Syracuse, 1967). Lake offer scholars alternative to Cabaniss that manages be at same time consistently legible stylistically representative Paschasius’s original Latinity. Abbot (d. 836) was cousin close confidant Charlemagne, who served emperor his imperial successor, Louis Pious, sundry roles before being implicated two rebellions against took place 830 833. The Epitaphium represents attempt rehabilitate former abbot’s reputation. De argue wrote parts distinct political moments. first part, written during 830s soon after rebellions, makes case Wala’s exemplary life virtues as servant God empire. second very different from first, comprises fiery retrospective final years 850s, when he felt freer speak openly pillory detractors enemies. full text provides, therefore, unique witness troubles this period, reflecting both chaos Louis’s decade sorrowful modes which society later made sense it. After useful biographical index Epitaphium’s dramatis personae, scholarly introduction offers summary text’s narrative, history its central figures events, brief overview relevant research date. Sections ably analyze distinctive composition, style, language within broader context early corpus—Paschasius chose write account prose dialogue, characters often borrow wholesale ancient Roman theater. Specialist readers will wish read [End Page 181] alongside Jong’s most recent monograph, Epitaph an Era (Cambridge, 2019), she her extended on historical moment it speaks. Of particular interest Latinists, furthermore, Lake’s discussion parallels with Ambrose Milan’s excessu fratris sui Satyri, funeral oration composed year 378 occasion own brother’s death. Connections earlier gone virtually unnoticed previous editors translators Epitaphium. Yet extensive intertextual borrowing (made patent notes body translation) proves crucial arguments planned composition books. In sum, provided readable erudite update companion Cabaniss’s work. open arms fresh scholarship no doubt facilitate inspire. Radbertus’s art is certainly rich enough sustain further attention. New York Copyright © 2023 Catholic America Press
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