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[German Version] (of Braga; attested 414–418), a presbyter from Iberian Bracara who went to Africa in 414. He was close to Augustine, and took documents to Jerome in Jerusalem, where he became an early ¶ opponent of Pelagianism (Pelagius). On his return to Africa he became more prominent in his opposition to Pelagianism. In addition to anti-heretical writings ( Liber Apologeticus, Commonitorium de errore Priscillianistarum et Origenistarum), Orosius wrote his most important work, the Historiarum adversum paganos in seven books, which he completed in 416–417/418, with en…

[German Version] (or fulminatrix, fulminea), literally “thunderbolt legion,” the name given to the Twelfth Legion since the time of Augustus. The name is associated with a meteorological miracle: during the Marcomannic Wars, thanks to a prayer, a thunderstorm blew up that saved the Roman army from dying of thirst and drove back the enemy. The event itself is probably historical, since it is represented on the column of Marcus Aurelius. Interpretations varied according to the religion of the interpre…

[German Version] (Jan 11, 347, Spain – Jan 17, 395, Milan). In 378, during the crisis precipitated by the defeat by the Goths at Adrianopolis, Theodosius was appointed magister militum; on Jan 19, 379, he was appointed co-Augustus for the eastern part of the Empire. In 389 he defeated the usurper Maximus and became de facto ruler of the entire Roman Empire, though Valentinian II remained the senior Augustus. He was active in the West until 392; in 394 he returned to the West, defeated the usurper Eugenius, and was now formally ruler of the Empire, which was never again united after his death. His …