Hans Helander, University of Uppsala

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Gustavides. Latin epic literature in honour of Gustavus Adolphus

Many poets paid their homage to Gustavus Adolphus during his life-time and during the decades following on his death. In my paper, I shall concentrate on four long epic Latin works, written in honour of Gustavus Adolphus by grateful foreigners, viz. (1) Gustavidos libri IX by the Bohemian Venceslaus Clemens (1632); (2) Gustavidos sive de bello Sueco-Austriaco libri tres by the Dutchman Joh. Nars(s)ius (1632); (3) Gustavi Magni Fulmen in Aquilam (in 12 books) by the Frenchman Evurtius Jollyvet (1636); and (4) Adolphidos sive de bello Germanico libri duodecim by the Frenchman Antoine Garissoles (1649). Together, these epic works comprise about 30.000 hexameter verses.

These poems have been strangely neglected. Werner Milch, who has written the history of the Gustavus Adolphus literature, just mentions their existence, without any attempt at description and analysis.

All four are of course representatives of the great classical epic tradition, and there are constant echoes of Virgil, Ovid, and the Silver Latin epic writers. But at the same time, they must be considered as highly contemporary works: They bear witness to the ideas and values of their time, and they mirror the religious and political polemics of the great German War. They also reflect the image of Sweden that the propaganda of the young warrior nation wanted to spread abroad in Europe. In this area Gothic ideas play a prominent part.