A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

an accomplished ecclesiastical writer of the fifth century.

Although never raised to the episcopal dignity, he is styled by Gennadius, "the master of bishops." He was born somewhere in the vicinity of Treves, a city with which he was evidently well acquainted. It is uncertain whether he was educated in the true faith, but he certainly was a Christian at the period of his marriage with Palladia, a pagan lady of Cologne, the daughter of Hypatius and Quieta; for he not only speedily convinced his wife of her errors, but after the birth of a daughter, Auspiciola, persuaded her to adopt some of the leading observances of a monastic life. Having, in consequence of this step, incurred the displeasure of his father-in-law, whom, however, after a lapse of seven years, he succeeded in appeasing, and eventually in converting, he removed to the south of France, and became a presbyter of the Church at Marseilles. Here he passed the remainder of his life, enjoying the friendship of the most distinguished among the holy men of that country, among others of Eucherms, bishop of Lyons, to whose sons, Salonius and Veranus, he acted as preceptor. The period of his death is uncertain, but he was still alive when Gennadius compiled his biographies, that is, about A. D. 490.

[W.R]