Galla (wife of Eucherius)

Galla (c.380 - c.420s) was a late Roman woman who was a correspondent of Paulinus of Nola, and wife of Eucherius of Lyon.

Galla
Bornc.380
Died420s
Notable work
Correspondent of Paulinus of Nola

Biography

Whilst little is known about the life of Galla, she is a significant late Roman woman since Paulinus of Nola addressed Epistola 51 to her and her husband, making her one of the few late Roman women known by name.[1] This letter is also one of the last known to be written by Paulinus.[2]

Galla was married to Eucherius, who became bishop of Lyons in 434.[1][3] They had two sons: Veranus and Salonius, who were born c.400.[4][5] According to some sources, they also had two daughters, Consortia and Tullia.[6] Galla's date of birth is unknown, but it could have been c.380.[7]

After their sons were born, Eucherius suggested that they alter their way of life to become more holy, leading the family to become religious ascetics together.[8][9] Galla and Eucherius' marriage evolved to run on ascetic principles, like other 'marriages of friendship' undertaken by other religious figures such as Paulinus and Therasia of Nola.[4] The Vita Sanctae Consortiae tells us that their religious conversion involved intense isolation.[4]

In the 420s monks from Lérins visited Paulinus and told him how Eucherius, Galla and their sons were living an ascetic and secluded life in the monastery there.[4] Both sons were later sent to visit Paulinus of Nola.[8] The family practised "unwealth" - where life was restricted to the minimum in order to support prayer and devotion.[10]

After the death of Galla, Eucherius retired to Lerins.[11] Since Epistola 51 was written in either 421 to 426, we can assume Galla died some time after then in the 420s.[2]

References
  1. Jones, A. H. M. (Arnold Hugh Martin), 1904-1970. (1971–1992). The prosopography of the later Roman Empire. Martindale, J. R. (John Robert),, Morris, John, 1913-1977. Cambridge [England]: University Press. p. 491. ISBN 0-521-20160-8. OCLC 125134.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Frend, W. H. C. (1969). "Paulinus of Nola and the Last Century of the Western Empire". Journal of Roman Studies. 59 (1/2): 1–11. doi:10.2307/299842. ISSN 0075-4358. JSTOR 299842.
  3. Online, Catholic. "St. Eucherius of Lyon - Saints & Angels". Catholic Online. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  4. Beach, Alison I; Cochelin, Isabelle, eds. (2020). The Cambridge History of Medieval Monasticism in the Latin West. Cambridge Core. doi:10.1017/9781107323742. ISBN 9781108766760. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  5. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Eucherius (4th Century)". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  6. Waarden, Joop van, “Eucherius of Lyon”, in: Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online, General Editor David G. Hunter, Paul J.J. van Geest, Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte. Consulted online on 22 June 2020 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00001136>
  7. Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century A.D., with an Account of the Principal Sects and Heresies. Christian Classics Ethereal Library Archived 2005-02-19 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Antelmy, J. (1726). Assertio pro unico S. Eucherio Lugdunensi episcopo. Auctore Jos. Antelmio,... Opus posthumum. Accedit concilium Regiense sub Rostagno metrop. Aquensi, anni MCCLXXXV. Nunc primo prodit integrum, & Notis illustratum operâ Car. Antelmii: apud Ant. Claudium Briasson. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qbpos2nJRMUC&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149&dq=galla+eucherius&source=bl&ots=i4wchx2LS4&sig=ACfU3U0gQHxmC2b4uXYoJwi9TDJiACE5-w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmiJXFycLpAhUKRhUIHe6hAWE4ChDoATABegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=galla%20eucherius&f=false
  9. Beach, Alison I.; Cochelin, Isabelle (2020-01-09). The Cambridge History of Medieval Monasticism in the Latin West. Cambridge University Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-108-77063-7.
  10. Cecconi, Giovanni Alberto; Lizzi Testa, Rita; Marcone, Arnaldo, eds. (2019). The Past as Present: Essays on Roman History in Honour of Guido Clemente. Studi e testi tardoantichi. 17. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols Publishers. doi:10.1484/m.stta-eb.5.117753. ISBN 978-2-503-58524-6.
  11. Cooper-Marsdin, A. C. (20 June 2013). The history of the islands of the Lerins : the monastery, saints and theologians of S. Honorat. Cambridge. p. 217. ISBN 978-1-107-61546-5. OCLC 828670716.
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