Abstract
The late antique Cento Probae was very popular in the Middle Ages and in the modern period, as evidenced by its rich manuscript and editorial traditions. By the end of the last century, however, it had been only translated twice, both times into French in the mid-16th century.
The translators Richard Le Blanc and Pardoux Du Prat approached the translation of this cento, in line with the prevailing trend in contemporary French translation, rather freely, albeit each in a very different way. This article will present not only the possible motivations that led both translators to decide to render this poem into French, but also their translation methods and approaches to transferring references to the ancient (pagan) origins of the text.