ABSTRACT

Alcimus Avitus was Bishop of Vienne in southern Gaul from 494-518, in which capacity he devoted his energies to ridding the Church of Arian and Pelagian beliefs. Arianism was particularly strong in this area because the Burgundians who controlled it at the time had accepted Christianity in its Arian form. Gregory of Tours, who tells us of Avitus’ efforts, relates that King Gundobad considered abandoning Arianism, under the influence of Avitus’ arguments, but was never able to confess in public that the three persons of the Trinity are equal.