PRISCIVLIAN, the author, or rather the chief propagator in Spain, diming the latter part of the 4th c., of the doctrines professed by the sect knownfrom his name as PHIS CILLIANISTS. The first seed of their doctrines is said to have been carried into Spain by a Memphian named Marcus. Priscillian was a man of noble birth; and by his eloquence and ascetic life obtained so much consideration, that a numerous party, Including sonic priests and at least two bishops, attached themselves to his school. His doctrine was substantially that of the Manichteans (q.v.). He taught expressly the Dualism and the Doceti4m of that sect, and it is equally certain that he adopted the moral consequences as to marriage, etc., by which they had rendered themselves obnoxious even to the civil authorities in the east and Africa. He was warmly opposed by two bishops, Idacius and Ithacius; and the council of Cmsar-Augusta (Saragossa) having in the year 380 con demned his doctrines, a decree for his banishment was issued in the same year. He
not only obtained, however, a reversal of this decree, but succeeded in effecting the banishment of his chief opponent, Ithacius. By an appeal to the usurper Maximus at Treves, Ithacius caused Priseillian and several of his followers to be brought to trial, and put to death, in 385; a proceeding which was regarded with so much abhorrence by St. Martin of Tours, St. Ambrose. and other bishops, that they separated from the com munion of Ithacius. The sect did not (lie out with its founder, though there was a considerable reaction against it at the close of the 4th c. ; and at all times throuph the mediaeval period we find its traces under various names ano forms, especially in thev. of Spain, iu Languedoc; and in northern Italy.