De laudibus dei

poem by Dracontius

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June 25, 2026

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De laudibus dei is a significant religious poem by Blossius Aemilius Dracontius, a prominent Christian Latin poet of the 5th century. The title translates from Latin as "Praise of God".12

The poem is structured into three books and totals 2,327 lines in hexameter verse.1
* Book I details the Creation, the Fall of Man, and arguments for immortality.1
* Book II focuses on God's benevolence, as demonstrated by the world's preservation and redemption.1
* Book III explores God's interactions with humanity.1

Dracontius, who practiced law and received a traditional rhetorical education, was imprisoned and had his property confiscated for praising the Roman emperor over the Vandal king. Despite this, his work, including De laudibus dei, displays a strong rhetorical style and familiarity with both pagan Latin literature and the Bible.1

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Blossius Aemilius Dracontius
…in his most religious poem, De laudibus dei. This last poem, considered his most important work, comprises 2,327 hexameters in three books: Book I describes the Creation and Fall and the evidence for immortality; Book II treats the benevolence of God as shown by the preservation and redemption of the…
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…in his most religious poem, De laudibus dei. This last poem, considered his most important work, comprises 2,327 hexameters in three books: Book I describes the Creation and Fall and the evidence for immortality; Book II treats the benevolence of God as shown by the preservation and redemption of the…
Read More