{"slug":"tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1","id":"latin:ogl-pl:tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1","title":"In Leontium Episcopum Redditum Burdegalensi Ecclesiae Acrostichis","title_source":"In Leontium Episcopum Redditum Burdegalensi Ecclesiae Acrostichis","author":"Amoenus","genre":"other","date":"","tradition":"latin","coverage":"not-located","coverage_claim":{"status":"not-located","text":"No English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed."},"publication":{"status":"machine-draft","reviewed_by":null,"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","generated":"2026-11-15T06:00:01Z","cost_usd":0.001898},"source":{"registry_id":"latin:ogl-pl:tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1","work_id":"tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1","edition":"ogl-pl","language":"","license":"Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License","url":"https://github.com/OpenGreekAndLatin/patrologia_latina-dev/blob/master/data/tmp992/tmp992/tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1.xml"},"stats":{"passages":3,"english_words":528,"coptic_letters":0,"source_letters":1875,"commentary_units":17,"commentary_kinds":7,"derived_notes":0,"ambiguities":4,"work_notes":5,"external_links":4,"timeline":5},"summary":{"work":"tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1","abstract":"The work is a Latin acrostic poem by Amoenus, celebrating the restoration of Leontius II to the bishopric of Bordeaux. Leontius II held the see circa 540–565, and the poem likely dates from the mid-6th century. It survives only in the Ogl-PL edition, with no independent medieval manuscript witness. The acrostic structure is not fully recoverable from the prose transcription. The poem is rarely cited in later sources and is valued primarily as a specimen of Merovingian Latin verse. Its polemical tone targets a rival claimant, using terms like 'antislitem' (anti-bishop) and 'bilinguis ore calli do' (double-tongued and crafty mouth). The closing line 'electio divina sit' echoes patristic ideas of divine episcopal appointment.","historical_context":"The poem was composed in mid-6th century Gaul, likely in Bordeaux, during the Merovingian period. Leontius II, bishop of Bordeaux (c. 540–565), is known from Gregory of Tours. The poem celebrates his restoration to the see after a period of exile or usurpation, reflecting ecclesiastical and political conflicts of the time. The work survives only in the Ogl-PL edition, with no independent medieval witness; its transmission is thus entirely modern. The acrostic form was common in late antique and medieval poetry, often used for liturgical or commemorative purposes. The poem's rare term 'antislitem' (from Greek ἀντι- + Latin 'antisles', bishop) likely means 'anti-bishop' or usurper, underscoring its polemical tone. The phrase 'bilinguis ore calli do' characterizes the usurper as deceitful, a common trope in invective poetry. The closing line 'electio divina sit' echoes biblical and patristic ideas (e.g., 1 Clement 44, Cyprian's letters) that episcopal appointment is divine, not human.","significance":"The poem is a rare surviving example of Merovingian Latin verse, offering insight into 6th-century Gallic ecclesiastical politics and poetic forms. Its acrostic structure and polemical content illuminate the use of poetry for episcopal propaganda. It relates to works by Gregory of Tours and patristic letters on episcopal authority, and its transmission history highlights the challenges of studying fragmentary medieval texts.","timeline":[{"date":"c. 540–565","event":"Leontius II serves as bishop of Bordeaux."},{"date":"mid-6th c.","event":"Amoenus composes the acrostic poem celebrating Leontius's restoration."},{"date":"6th c.","event":"Gregory of Tours writes about Leontius II in his historical works."},{"date":"Medieval period","event":"The poem is rarely cited and survives only in a single modern edition."},{"date":"Modern era","event":"The poem is edited in the Ogl-PL collection, with acrostic structure lost."}],"relations":[{"work":"Gregory of Tours, Historia Francorum","relation":"Mentions Leontius II and provides historical context for the poem.","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"1 Clement 44","relation":"Echoes the idea of divine episcopal appointment.","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Cyprian, Epistulae","relation":"Parallels the theme of divine origin of ecclesiastical office.","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Venantius Fortunatus, Carmina","relation":"Contemporary Merovingian Latin verse, similar in genre and context.","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Ogl-PL edition","relation":"Sole surviving witness of the poem.","key":"","label":null,"url":null}],"external_links":[{"key":"wikipedia:Gregory of Tours","label":"Gregory of Tours","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Tours","reason":"Provides historical context for Leontius II and the period."},{"key":"wikipedia:Merovingian dynasty","label":"Merovingian dynasty","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovingian_dynasty","reason":"Political and cultural background of the poem."},{"key":"wikipedia:Acrostic","label":"Acrostic","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic","reason":"Explains the poetic form used in the work."},{"key":"wikipedia:Bordeaux","label":"Bordeaux","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux","reason":"Geographical and ecclesiastical setting."}],"cautions":["The date is uncertain; the poem is assigned to the mid-6th century based on Leontius II's episcopacy, but no external evidence confirms the exact year.","The acrostic structure is not fully recoverable from the prose transcription in the Ogl-PL edition; the original layout is lost.","The poem survives only in a modern edition (Ogl-PL), with no independent medieval manuscript witness, making its transmission history fragmentary.","Authorship by Amoenus is traditional but not independently verified."],"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","cost_usd":0.000509,"generated":"2026-11-15T06:00:01Z"},"links":[{"kind":"source","label":"Open Greek and Latin Patrologia Latina","url":"https://github.com/OpenGreekAndLatin/patrologia_latina-dev/blob/master/data/tmp992/tmp992/tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1.xml"}],"checks":{"work":"tmp992.tmp992.opp-lat1","status":"pass","blocking":[],"warnings":[],"stats":{"passages":3,"translated":3,"commentary_passages":3,"commentary_units":17,"english_words":528,"source_letters":1860,"commentary_kinds":7},"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor"},"work_notes":[{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The title indicates an acrostic poem addressed to Leontius, bishop of Bordeaux, celebrating his restoration to that see.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"Leontius II of Bordeaux was bishop circa 540–565; the poem likely dates from the mid-6th century, contemporary with the author Amoenus.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The work survives only in the manuscript tradition of the Ogl-PL edition; no independent medieval witness is known.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The poem is rarely cited in later medieval sources; its primary interest is as a specimen of Merovingian Latin verse.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The acrostic structure is not fully recoverable from the prose transcription in the source edition; the original layout is lost.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"derived_work_notes":[{"kind":"coverage","severity":"info","text":"No English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed."},{"kind":"limit","severity":"caution","text":"The English is a machine draft produced passage by passage from the transcribed Coptic; no human has verified it. The commentary is model-written and cites only keys the pipeline could resolve."},{"kind":"register","severity":"info","text":"Register: other in Latin; the English keeps the liturgical formulae and the vocatives rather than normalising them."},{"kind":"structure","severity":"info","text":"Passages: 3 narrative."},{"kind":"source","severity":"info","text":"Source edition: ogl-pl — Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License"}],"derived_structure":{"narrative":3},"term_index":[],"citations":{},"segments":[{"i":1,"ref":"p1","source":"IN LEONTIUM EPISCOPUM REDDITUM BURDEGALENSI ECCLESIÆ ACROSTICHIS.\n\nAgnoscat omne sæculum Antislitem Leontium, Burdegalense praemium, Dono superno redditum.\n\nBilinguis ore calli do, Crimen fovebat invidum, Ferens acerbum nuntium, Hunc jam sepulcro conditum.\n\nCelare se non pertulit, Qui triste funus edidit, Et si nocere desiit, Insana vita prodiit. Deceptus arte noxia Cassata deflet crimina, Dum quæ putabat tristia, Conversa sunt in gaudia.\n\nExempla sæva protulit, Calcanda cuncto tempore, Ut jam sibi conscriberet Decreta vivo antistitc.\n\nFucata res hæc contigit Vitanda casto pectore, Superstite ut præsumeret, Post fata quod vix defuit. Gravat sacerdos ordinem Qui episcopatum sic petit, Praecepta qui complectitur Fugit honoris ambitum.\n\nlloc si cui sit debitum Coactus ascendat gradum, Non se petente callide, Sed dante Christi muncre. Ineptus est quis ipse se Præferre vult Ecclesiæ: Nam rem sacratam sumere Electio divina sit.","english":"Concerning Leontius, Bishop Restored to the Church of Bordeaux, an Acrostic.\n\nLet every age acknowledge Leontius, the bishop, the prize of Bordeaux, restored by a heavenly gift.\n\nWith a double-tongued and crafty mouth, he fostered envious crime, bearing a bitter message, this man now buried in the tomb.\n\nHe who brought forth the sad funeral could not conceal himself, and although he ceased to harm, his insane life came to light. Deceived by harmful guile, he laments his frustrated crimes, while what he thought were sorrows have been turned into joys.\n\nHe set forth savage examples, to be trampled upon for all time, so that he might now write decrees for himself while the bishop was alive.\n\nThis feigned thing happened, to be avoided by a chaste heart, so that while the bishop survived he might presume, after his death what was scarcely lacking. A priest burdens the order who seeks the episcopate in this way; he who embraces the precepts flees the ambition for honor.\n\nIf a place is due to someone, let him ascend the step under compulsion, not seeking it for himself with cunning, but by the gift of Christ. He is unfit who wishes to prefer himself to the Church: for to take up a sacred office is a divine election.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"Acrostichis","severity":"info","text":"The title indicates the poem is an acrostic, a common late antique and medieval form where initial letters of each line form a word or phrase. The acrostic likely spells out a name or motto, though the pattern is not preserved in this edition.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"Leontium","severity":"info","text":"Leontius was a bishop of Bordeaux in the late 6th century, known from Gregory of Tours. The poem celebrates his restoration to the see after a period of exile or usurpation, reflecting the political and ecclesiastical conflicts of Merovingian Gaul.","cites":[],"named_sources":["Gregory of Tours"],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"Antislitem","severity":"info","text":"The rare term 'antislitem' (from Greek ἀντι- + Latin 'antisles', bishop) likely means 'anti-bishop' or usurper, referring to a rival claimant to the see of Bordeaux. It underscores the poem's polemical tone against Leontius's opponent.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"Bilinguis ore calli do","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'bilinguis ore calli do' (with a double-tongued and crafty mouth) characterizes the usurper as deceitful and malicious, a common trope in invective poetry. The 'bitter message' (acerbum nuntium) likely refers to false reports that led to Leontius's removal.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"scripture","kind":"scripture","basis":"text","lemma":"Electio divina sit","severity":"info","text":"The closing line 'electio divina sit' echoes biblical and patristic ideas that episcopal appointment is a divine choice, not a human ambition. Compare 1 Clement 44 and Cyprian's letters on the divine origin of ecclesiastical office.","cites":[],"named_sources":["1 Clement","Cyprian"],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"Agnoscat omne sæculum","severity":"info","text":"The opening call for 'every age' to acknowledge Leontius suggests the poem was intended for liturgical or commemorative use, perhaps as a hymn or inscription. Its acrostic form and moralizing tone align with the Carolingian revival of classical and patristic poetry.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of the usurper (the 'antislitem') is not named in the poem; historical records suggest a rival bishop or secular official. The acrostic pattern is not recoverable from the given text, so its full meaning remains uncertain."],"confidence":"medium","notes":[]},{"i":2,"ref":"p2","source":"Carus sacerdos ordinem Hilarius non ambiit, Martinus illud effugit, Gregorius vix sustulit.\n\nLeges refutant ambitum, Invasor omnis pellitur, Quod respuunt pratoria, Vitet nefas Ecclesia.\n\nMaligna erant certamina, De sede non tamen sua, Quae nec pati desiderat, Non inferat mens improba. Nec longiore tempore Versatur in hoc murmure, Dum cogitant succedere, Redit sacerdos qui fuit.\n\nOrante plebe protinus, Dum nemo credit, redditur, Quae confluunt post tristia Majora sunt haec gaudia.\n\nPlausu favebat civitas, Cui reddita est felicitas Orbata quem defleverat, Partem recepit anxia.\n\nQuem vix putabat redditum Præventa voto prospero, Res mira quando cernitur Solet stupere visio.\n\nRecolligit rector gregem, Errore captum semitae, Pastoris arce cognita Gavisa sunt ovilia.\n\nSumpsit gradum quo tempore Regressus est: eo die, Quis non superno munere Hoc contigisse prædicet?","english":"Dear priest Hilary did not seek the office; Martin fled from it; Gregory barely endured it.\n\nLaws reject ambition; every invader is driven out; what the courts reject, let the Church avoid as a crime.\n\nThe struggles were malicious, yet not concerning his own see; what it does not wish to suffer, let a wicked mind not inflict. Nor does he linger long in this murmuring; while they plot to succeed him, the priest who was returns.\n\nWith the people praying forthwith, while no one believes it, he is restored; the joys that flow after sorrow are greater than these.\n\nThe city favored him with applause, to which happiness was restored; the one it had mourned as bereaved, it received back in anxiety.\n\nHe whom it scarcely thought restored, anticipated by a favorable vow; when a wondrous thing is seen, sight is accustomed to be stunned.\n\nThe shepherd gathers again the flock, caught in error from the path; with the shepherd's stronghold known, the sheepfolds rejoiced.\n\nHe took up the rank at the time when he returned: on that day, who would not proclaim that this happened by a heavenly gift?","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The three named priests—Hilary, Martin, and Gregory—are likely bishops of Gaul known for reluctance to assume office: Hilary of Arles, Martin of Tours, and Gregory of Tours.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The line 'Leges refutant ambitum' introduces a legal and moral condemnation of ambition, reinforcing the theme that Leontius' restoration is just.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This passage shifts from narrative to a series of moralizing stanzas, each beginning with a capitalized word (Carus, Leges, Maligna, Orante, etc.), marking the acrostic form.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The line 'Quis non superno munere Hoc contigisse prædicet?' echoes a common hagiographic topos attributing episcopal restoration to divine intervention.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The phrase 'pratoria' in 'Quod respuunt pratoria' is ambiguous: it may refer to secular courts (praetoria) or to the bishop's palace (praetorium), affecting the interpretation of the legal context.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of the three priests (Hilary, Martin, Gregory) is not specified; they are assumed to be well-known Gallic bishops. The term 'pratoria' may mean either 'courts' or 'palaces'."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":3,"ref":"p3","source":"Tantum nec ante pracmium Plebi fuit, cum factus est, Lætata quantum tunc fuit Quando recepit præsulem.\n\nVenite, cives, plaudite, Et vota votis addite; Quo facta sunt miracula, Servent eum coelestia.\n\nChristus sereno lumine Circumvolet, quem reddidit, Ut trina crescat gralia, Mercede, vita, gloria.\n\nImum canendo concrepet, Quisquis Deo non invidct; Laus ejus est, qui præulem De mortis ore retrahit.\n\nZelante fido pectore, Jam vera dici non pudet, Hæc parva nobilissimo Papæ damus Leontio.","english":"Never before was the people so delighted by a reward, as they were when he was made, as they rejoiced when they received their bishop.\n\nCome, citizens, applaud, and add vows to vows; that the miracles which have been wrought may keep him safe in the heavens.\n\nMay Christ, whom he restored, hover about him with serene light, so that his grace may increase threefold: in reward, in life, in glory.\n\nLet the lowest resound in song, whoever does not begrudge God; it is to his praise that he snatches a bishop from the mouth of death.\n\nWith a zealously faithful heart, it is no longer shameful to speak the truth: these small gifts we give to the most noble Pope Leontius.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The first stanza contrasts the people's joy at Leontius's return with their earlier delight at his appointment, emphasizing the greater happiness at his restoration.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The poem is an acrostic, with each stanza beginning with a successive letter of the alphabet. This stanza begins with T, the 20th letter, continuing the acrostic pattern.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'de mortis ore' (from the mouth of death) likely refers to Leontius's exile or deposition, from which he was restored to his see in Bordeaux.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"gralia","severity":"info","text":"The word 'gralia' is a variant spelling of 'gratia' (grace), possibly influenced by Vulgar Latin or scribal error. The threefold increase refers to reward, life, and glory.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The final stanza addresses Leontius as 'Papa' (Pope), a title used in late antiquity for bishops, especially in the West, not yet restricted to the Bishop of Rome.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"non invidct","severity":"caution","text":"The phrase 'non invidct' is likely a scribal error for 'non invidet' (does not begrudge) or 'non invidcat' (does not envy). The sense is clear: whoever does not begrudge God should sing.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The exact circumstances of Leontius's restoration are not specified; 'de mortis ore' may be metaphorical or literal.","The acrostic pattern is incomplete in the surviving text; the final stanza begins with Z, suggesting the poem originally had 23 stanzas."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]}]}