The Presbyters Project

V.12.2-4

Duo denique comites, incliti licet opibus et nobiles genere, prophani tamen mentibus et ignobiles moribus, Granista uidelicet et Vildigernus, una cum Arrianorum episcopum nomine Atalocum uel alios multos conpares errorum suorum grauiorem in eadem regionem fecerunt turbationem. Nam resultantes aduersus fidem catholicam infinita multitudine Franchorum in Galliis introduxerunt, quatenus et prauitatem Arriane partis uindicarent et, si fieri potuisset, regnum uiro catholico Reccaredo preriperent. Interim per idem tempus innumerauilem clericorum religiosorum et omnem catholicorum interficientes multitudinem inmensam fecerunt stragem. Quorum scilicet saluator noster Ihesus Dominus animas omni auro obrizo puriores omnique lapide pretioso pretiosiores uelut olocaustomata suscipiens caterbis martyrum in celesti sacrario conlocauit.

[...]

(ed. Maya Sanchez 1992: 92-93)

V.12.2-4

Two counts, famed for their wealth and noble birth but with profane minds and ignoble habits, namely Granista and Vildigern, together with an Arian bishop called Athalocus and many others who shared their errors caused a serious disturbance in that district [i.e. Septimania]. Rising up against the Catholic faith they brought a huge host of Franks into the Gallic provinces to restore to power the depraved Arian faction, and, if possible, wrest the kingdom from the Catholic Reccared. In their attempt they slaughtered an innumerable host of clerics, monks, and Catholics of every kind. Their souls, purer than refined gold and more precious than any precious stone, were received as a burnt offering by our Saviour, the Lord Jesus and set among the companies of martyrs in the treasury of heaven.

(trans. A.T. Fear 1997: 99)

Discussion:

For the rebellion against King Reccared see Orlandis 1962. Arian bishop of Narbonne, Athalocus is also mentioned by Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks IX, 15 (Mathisen 1997: 687).

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Narbonne

About the source:

Title: Life of the Fathers of Merida, Vitae Patrum Emeritensium, De vita patrum Emeritensium
Origin: Merida (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The Lives of the Fathers of Merida were written after the Dialogues of Gregory the Great (probably 593/594) to which they made an explicit reference. The last bishop mentioned in the text is Bishop Renovatus who died in 633. J. Garvin (1946) thought the Lives were composed during the episcopacy of Renovatus`s successor, Bishop Stephen (633-638). Following Diaz y Diaz (1981), A.T.Fear (1997: 31) preferred to date it to the mid-7th century.

Edition:

Edition:

Maya Sanchez A. ed., Vitas sanctorum patrum Emeretensium, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 116, Turnhout 1992

Translation:

A.T. Fear, Lives of the Visigothic fathers, Liverpool 1997

Bibliography:

M.D. Diaz y Diaz, "Hagiographie du Haut Moyen Age Espagnole", in: Hagiographie, Cultures, et Sociétés, IVe-XIIe siecles, Paris 1981

J.N. Garvin, The Vitas Sanctorum Patrum Emeretensium, Washington 1946

R.W. Mathisen, "Barbarian Bishops and the Churches in Barbaricis Gentibus During Late Antiquity", Speculum 72 (1997), 664-697.

Categories:

Described by a title - Clericus

Fame of sanctity

Relation with - Barbarian

Relation with - Heretic/Schismatic

Relation with - Soldier/Warrior

Conflict - Violence

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER515, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=515