Biography
Namatius of Vienne
About Namatius of Vienne
Namatius was a bishop of Vienne whose epitaph remembers an earlier career in public office. It praises the justice he administered in the cities entrusted to him, then describes his rejection of worldly wealth and titles to serve God as bishop.
The inscription makes practical help central to that service. It depicts poor people leaving him relieved, people without clothing going away clothed, and captives rejoicing in their freedom after being ransomed. It also credits him with settling disputes and providing refuge for people in distress. These are the claims of his memorial, expressed as praise of a Christian bishop.
The poem addresses mourners directly. Rather than leaving them with grief alone, it asks them to find consolation in the hope of eternal life and in the life Namatius had led. His rank and eloquence appear alongside the deeds by which the inscription wishes him to be remembered.
Philip Zimmermann uses this epitaph to introduce his study of episcopal care for the poor. He notes how prominently that care figures in the bishop’s responsibilities, while setting aside the question of how fully the praise reflects historical reality.
Nominis remembers Namatius and his wife Euphrasia for their generosity. It records his name as Namase, with the variants Namaise and Naamad, and lists a local feast on November 17.
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