Psychomachia

Incidentally, this type of poem - an allegorical battle between good & evil - is known as a Psychomachia ....

The Fall 1999

"Psychomachia" of the poet Prudentius, so often treated by French sculptors and outlined by Giotto himself in the aforesaid tiny allegories of the Capella dell 'Arena, takes on here a larger development.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 6: Fathers of the Church-Gregory XI 1840-1916 1913

The "Psychomachia" is the model of a style destined to be lovingly cultivated in the Middle Ages, i. e., allegorical poetry, of which before Prudentius only the merest traces are found (in such authors as Apuleius, Tertullian, and Claudian).

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss 1840-1916 1913

"Then his great poem 'Psychomachia' is the first example in mediaeval literature of allegorical poetry, the most Christian of all forms of art.

A Mere Accident 1892

Psychomachia -- "Battle of Souls" describes the struggle of faith, supported by the cardinal virtues, against idolatry and the corresponding vices.

Archive 2009-01-01 bls 2009

The allegorical Psychomachia, however, is his most influential work and became the inspiration and wellspring of medieval allegorical literature.

"The Hymns of Prudentius, translated by R. Martin Pope" bls 2009

Psychomachia -- "Battle of Souls" describes the struggle of faith, supported by the cardinal virtues, against idolatry and the corresponding vices.

"The Hymns of Prudentius, translated by R. Martin Pope" bls 2009

The allegorical Psychomachia, however, is his most influential work and became the inspiration and wellspring of medieval allegorical literature.

Archive 2009-01-01 bls 2009

Ages and at the beginning of the Renaissance certain aspects of temperance were prominent in popular iconographic cycles: Pudicitia and Sobrietas among the victorious virtues in the Psychomachia of Prudentius

Dictionary of the History of Ideas HELEN F. NORTH 1968

The tradition of the Psychomachia had little effect on the iconography of the cardinal virtues until the thirteenth century, when they began to be portrayed, not in combat with the vices, but in triumph over them.

Dictionary of the History of Ideas HELEN F. NORTH 1968