Ave maris stella

Ave maris stella. Latin, 9th century or earlier, author uncertain. This hymn has been tentatively attributed by Lausberg (1976) to Ambrosius Autpertus, monk and subsequently abbot of S Vincentius near Benevento (d. 30 Jan 784), since it has thematic and textual features in common with Ambrosius’ other writings. It has also been attributed to Paul the Deacon* and to Venantius Fortunatus*. The latter attribution is highly unlikely, given the total absence of any other Marian reference in Fortunatus' work, or in the writings of his Merovingian contemporaries. ‘Ave maris stella’ also draws on themes and commonplaces found in patristic writings by SS Gregory, Augustine of Hippo* and Isidore, in...

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