Le Pasteur d'Hermas: Autobiographie ou fiction littéraire?

Abstract

[eng] The Shepherd of Hermas, a 2nd century Christian work in prose written in first person, has been studied from many theological points of view. Several parallels with other fictional non-Christian narratives have been drawn, but there are still many questions concerning the author's identity and to what extent the text may be autobiographical. The comparison with other contemporary literary works suggests a fictional narrative work, which is aimed at educating the audience towards conversion and chastity. The text deals with the character of the slave and its allegorical meaning and provides clues to recognizing the author as invested with supernatural authority over the community.