A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

an eminent Christian physician in the fourth century after Christ, tutor to Theodorus Priscianus (Theod. Prise. Rer. Med. iv. praef. p. 81, ed. Argent.), who attained the rank of Comes Archiatrorum (see Dict. of Ant. s. x. Archiater), and was physician to the Emperor Valentinian, A. D. 364-375. He was also proconsul in Africa, and in this capacity crowned St. Augustine in a rhetorical contest (Aug. Conf. 4.3.5), probably A. D. 376. It was perhaps this incident which gave Vindicianus an interest in the young man's welfare, for St. Augustine says that he tried to divert him from the study of astrology and divination, to which he was at that time addicted. (Ibid. and 7.6.8.) St. Augustine gives him a high character, calling him "an acute old man," "a wise man, very skilful and renowned in physic," and in another place (Epist. 138.3) " the great physician of our times."

[W. A. G.