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How did Juvencus use Virgilian techniques to retell part of the Bible?
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In the context of Latin literature, the 4th-century Spanish poet Juvencus is noted for his role in the rise of Christian Latin literature. He utilized Virgilian techniques to versify a portion of the Bible, effectively adapting the classical epic form to Christian subject matter.1
By the 4th century, scholarly interpretation of Virgil had intensified, and his stylistic techniques were widely imitated by poets seeking to bridge the gap between classical secular culture and the Christian tradition. Juvencus’s work represents a significant example of this synthesis, where the formal structures and stylistic refinements previously perfected by Virgil were applied to scriptural narratives.1