Pompa and Praise in Claudianʼs Panegyrics on the Third, Fourth and Sixth Consulship of Honorius
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Abstract
The paper deals with three representations of pompae (processions) within Claudian ʼs Panegyrics on the Third, Fourth and Sixth Consulate of Honorius. The depictions of two adventus (Claud. 3 cons. Hon. 125sqq.; Claud. 6 cons. Hon. 543sqq.) and one processus consularis (Claud. 4 cons. Hon. 565sqq.) are examined with regard to content, form, and function and subsequently compared. The comparison shows that all three pompa-passages share common features. These similarities form a design concept through which the passages are connected. At the same time, in terms of length, formal features as well as aspects of content a development can be observed in the adventus-passage in 6 cons. Hon. Honorius, here, outgrows the former versions of himself, represented in Claud. 3 cons. Hon. and Claud. 4 cons. Hon. Similarly, the poet Claudian surpasses himself on a poetic level.