Primary source · Latin (accentual acrostic verse)
The Instructions (Instructiones)
Commodian · 3rd century (traditional dating)
What this text is
Eighty acrostic poems in soldier's Latin — against the old gods, for catechumens and penitents — the first Christian poetry in the language of the people.
Interlinear passages
Word-for-word glosses of the original; the complete public-domain translation is linked below.
The preface — first line of the acrostic
PraefatioThe prefacenostraourviamthe wayerrantito the wandererdemonstratpoints out
Public-domain translations
Robert Ernest Wallis (ANF, 1886)
My preface points out the way to the wanderer, and a good hearing to the truth… I have wandered long, frequenting the temples with my parents; at length I withdrew, having read the writings of the Law.
Manuscript witnesses
Cheltenham/Middlehill codex and companions
medieval copiesThe acrostic Instructions in a thin manuscript line, rediscovered in the 17th century.
Provenance
Africa (or Gaul), 3rd century (debated) — the first Christian Latin poet
Editions & scholarship
Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.
- Commodianus: Carmina (CCSL 128)Joseph Martin, 1960The critical edition.
- Commodien: Instructions (Budé)Jean-Michel Poinsotte, 2009Critical edition with French translation.