Poem by Paul the Deacon Translated by Christian Lopac

Born to a possibly noble Lombard family, Paul the Deacon (c. 720 – c. 790) represents one of the premier authors of the Carolingian Renaissance, a flowering of literary, artistic, and intellectual activity in the late 8^th to the 9^th centuries. Paul’s excellence in Latin drew the attention of Lombard nobles, who employed him as a secretary and tutor. He entered the Benedictine abbey at Monte Cassino in the early 780s and, as a result of the Frankish conquests of Lombardy, also became acquainted with Charlemagne at that time. Paul’s writings include histories, poetry, epitaphs, compilations of homilies, and letters.

Christian Lopac is a translator, writer, and independent scholar. His work in literary translation focuses on Latin (medieval, Renaissance) and modern French, and German. He holds an MA in religious studies from the University of Chicago and lives in rural Minnesota.

17 April 2024