Matrimonio e matrimoni nella poesia non epitalamica di Claudiano

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Apart from the epithalamia, Claudian deals with marriage either with reference to myth, in the de raptu Proserpinae, or with reference to contemporary realities, in the case of the weddings of Proba, Stilico and Serena and his own. Claudian’s wedding is treated just as an opportunity to thank Serena, while in the case of Proba the emphasis falls on the equal dignity of husband and wife. Stilico’s and Serena’s wedding is considered from a double point of view, according to the public role of the generalissimo and the more private dimension of Serena’s life, whose representation is deeply affected by the influence of literary models. In the De raptu, marriage is considered by Pluto as a status symbol as well as a way to enjoy the love of a wife and children. It corresponds to the wishes of Pluto alone who explains to Proserpina the power she will enjoy as queen of the Underworld and is represented as falling in love without the external impulsion of any divinity.