ABSTRACT
The early ninth century was a crucial period of change for the Aquileian patriarchate. The Treaty of Aachen redefined its boundaries, and animosity with the rival seat of Grado reached a peak. The reorganization of the patriarchate of Aquileia's boundaries at the time of the Treaty of Aachen was triggered mainly by the creation of the new diocese of Salzburg. The entire plot and so many details of the Passio Helari seem to be modelled on the text of the Passio Hermachorae et Fortunati that sometimes it almost loses narrative coherence. The literal re-use of models that were either unknown or not widely read in the local area is unsurprising - indeed it is one of the hallmarks of the Aquileian school of hagiography. In an era of ferocious tussles between Aquileia and Grado over their patriarchal claims, Aquileia had on its side the strong tradition of St Hermagoras.
