THIS BOOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A COLLABORATIVE GRANT FROM THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION.

      Copyright © 2017 University of Pennsylvania Press

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      University of Pennsylvania Press

      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4112

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      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Name: Arentzen, Thomas, 1976– author.

      Title: The Virgin in song : Mary and the poetry of Romanos the Melodist / Thomas Arentzen.

      Other titles: Divinations.

      Description: 1st edition. | Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, [2017] | Series: Divinations: rereading late ancient religion | Includes bibliographical references and index.

      Identifiers: LCCN 2016045439 | ISBN 9780812249071 (hardcover : alk. paper)

      Subjects: LCSH: Romanus, Melodus, Saint, active 6th century. | Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint—In literature. | Christian poetry, Byzantine—History and criticism. | Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint—Poetry—History and criticism. | Hymns, Greek—History and criticism.

      Classification: LCC BV467.5.R63 A74 2017 | DDC 264.2/3—dc23

      LC record available at

       https://lccn.loc.gov/2016045439

       for Benedicte

      CONTENTS

       A Note on Editions and Translations

       List of Abbreviations

       1. The Song and the City

       2. On the Verge of Virginity

       3. The Mother and Nurse of Our Life

       4. A Voice of Rebirth

       Conclusion. Virginity Recast

       Appendix 1. On the Annunciation

       Appendix 2. Catalogue of Hymns Referred to in the Study

       Notes

       Bibliography

       Index

       Acknowledgments