ABSTRACT
The Biblical poetry of Avitus of Vienne, the De spiritalis historiae gestis (SHG) ("On Acts of Spiritual History"), has had a relatively good press in recent years. The SHG might indeed have been regarded as a work that serves many readers with its measured instruction in faith. It could have introduced the reader to an Augustinian reading of Genesis and Exodus, while at the same time providing literary pleasure. Coming at the moment at which the Gallic church opted for an Augustinian stance, Avitus' poetry reflected a mood and had a role to play. The chapter also aims to draw attention to Avitus' use of his main theological source, the twelve-book version of Augustine's De Genesi ad litteram (DGAL) (On Genesis to the Letter"), in order to consider how best to categorise Avitus' poetic works. Emphasis has also been placed on the more general theological context of the triumph of Augustinian theology in Gaul.
