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He was particularly well known for the women's monastery that he founded in Arles and for the rule that he composed for it. Also for the several regional councils over which he presided, including those of Agde (506) and Orange (529). Most of all for the sermons that he regularly delivered, ''"suitable to different festivals and places but also against the evils of drunkenness and lust, discord and hatred, wrath and pride...and other devices" (Vita 1.55)''. These Sermons - now numbering almost 250 - are Caesarius' most important writings, and include both orginal compositions and revisions of other Patristic sermons, especially those of Augustine, having a wide circulation in his own time and throughout the Middle Ages.<ref>William Klingshirn. ''Caesarius of Arles.'' '''Encyclopedia of Early Christianity'''. Ed. Everett Ferguson. New York & London: Graland Publishing Inc., 1990. p.167.</ref>
Some rivalry appears to have existed in the sixth century between the sees of Arles and Vienne, but was adjusted by [[Leo the Great|Pope Leo]], whose adjustment was confirmed by [[w:Pope Symmachusof Rome|Pope Symmachus]]. Caesarius was in favour at Rome. A book he wrote against the semi-Pelagians, entitled ''de Gratiâ et Libero Arbitrio'', was sanctioned by [[w:Pope Felix IV|Pope Felix IV]]; and the canons passed at Orange were approved by [[w:Pope Boniface II|Pope Boniface II]]. The learned antiquary [[w:Louis Thomassin|Louis Thomassin]] believed him to have been the first Western bishop who received a [[w:pall|pall]] from the pope. [[w:François Guizot|François Guizot]] in ''Civilisation en France'' cites part of one of Caesarius' sermons as that of a representative man of his age; while [[w:August Neander|August Neander]] eulogizes his "unwearied, active, and pious zeal, ready for every sacrifice in the spirit of love," and his moderation on the controversy concerning semi-Pelagianism.
== Authorities ==