Satirische Transformation des Epithalamiums des Sidonius Apollinaris, Carm., 15

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Sidonius’ EpithalamiumforPolemius and Araneola (Carm., 15) has been judged as ‘aberration’. The poem has been compared with the Arachne-episode in Ovid’s Metamorphoses or more generally interpreted in the epithalamia-tradition of Statius and Claudian. In this contribution I argue that the poem should rather be read in relation to Carm., 16, the Euchariston ad Faustum episcopum, then, a supplementary level of interpretation allows to understand the dogmata, which the pronuba Pallas demands from Araneola, as signal for a caesura within the nugae (Carm., 9-24). This metapoetic reading indicates that the weaving bride henceforth has to keep distance from the epithalamia and from pagan myths. Carm., 15 is neither a comic variation of the genre nor a serious parody. In contrast it shows a satirical turn by with the genre is questioned. Though Carm., 15 focuses on a philosopher-bridegroom, a discourse on the advantages and/or disadvantages of marriage is lacking. Interestingly enough, the weaver-bride starts to discuss this topic but is interrupted brusquely by Minerva when coming up with this topic.