Physiologus text translated from the Greek to French, introduced and commented by Arnaud Zucker.

Here is the first Christian bestiary and the first animal breviary. He offers both a spiritualized zoology and an embodied theology in animals. Aesop made the animals speak as teachers, the Physiologus dresses them as theologians to represent the Christian mysteries. But here the animal plays its own role without mask, and that is its nature even who testifies to spiritual truths. Because, let's make no mistake, beasts are neither immoral nor insane. So they have a soul? Yes, for the occasion. For a good cause: the edification of the man. In this manual, which allows you to understand in depth the meaning animals, these are offered to the reader like a coin: tails, it is animal, tails, it is the face of one of the characters of the Christian dramaturgy: Man, God or Devil. This text enjoyed popularity in the Middle Ages comparable to that of the Bible, at least until the 13th century, as proven by the countless ancient manuscripts, versions, translations and adaptations and medieval. It was visited by all medieval authors and artists which he nourished the imagination. The immense success of this literary zoo Christian usage is due in part to its brevity, its simplicity apparent and the fact that it is not aimed at specialists in zoology or theology. - [Publisher]

Language: French

ISBN: 2-84137-171-9; DDS: 880; OCLC: 57280814