«Tempora grauia et periculosa»: il caso Priscilliano

The first part of the paper describes the life of Priscillian on the basis of the historical and literary sources. In the second part, the consequences of the trial against Priscillian and his supporters are analysed: the death sentence of Treviri did not stop the priscillianistic movement, but exacerbated the indiscriminate persecution against ascetics; peace was not restored within the Church, tensions and divisions kept increasing; the usurper Maximus did not find support either by bishops or in the imperial court. In the final part, after having analysed the ancient and recent definitions of Priscillianism, the Author examines the movement by setting it against its historical background