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Roman Christian poet (born 348 - died c.405-413). He was born in the Roman province of Tarraconensis (now Northern Spain) and most likely died in spain. He practiced law with some success and was also a provincial governor. Towards the end of his life (possibly around 392) Prudentius retired from public life to become an ascetic. He also collected Christian poems written during this period, and added a preface, which he dated 405. His poetry is influenced by early Christian authors, such as Tertullian and St. Ambrose, as well as the Bible and the acts of the martyrs. His allegorical work, Psychomachia, became an inspiration for medieval allegorical literature.