Alter Apostata ? Some Remarks on De tempore barbarico II.4.2

Summary The article examines the testimony of Quodvultdeus’ sermon De tempore barbarico II (c. 439) concerning an unnamed young man who was elevated to power by the army, abandoned Christianity for paganism, and was punished by the amputation of his hand. Arguments are presented against the established identification of this figure with the barbarian warlord Radagaisus or the Roman usurper Priscus Attalus. The article adduces evidence supporting the view that the most plausible candidate is the usurper Joannes (423–425). It is suggested that his religious policy, characterised by tolerance toward dissenters, may have been perceived by contemporaries as a drift towards paganism.