Background
German religious reformer, was born Johann Kaspar Adler in Augsburg, Aug. 7, 1488. He was educated in Italy, Switzerland, and the universities of Leipzig and Wittenberg. In August 1514 he became a pastor at Bern. From 1514 to 1516 he served as military chaplain with Franz von Sickingen during the campaigns of Worms and Metz, after which he was appointed pastor at Jengen, near the town where he was born. When he announced his conversion to the Lutheran cause, he was imprisoned by order of the bishop of Augsburg. After he was freed he proceeded to Wittenberg, where he became professor of Hebrew. He also became acquainted with Luther, whom he helped in the task of preparing a translation of the Old Testament. In 1527 he was appointed pastor at Saalfeld and soon afterward became Protestant bishop in that town. He attended the Diet of Augsburg in 1530. In 1548 Aquila was an outspoken opponent of the Interim, an action which aroused Charles V against him; he was then forced to seek refuge at Rudolstadt. In 1550 he was appointed dean of the Collegiate Institute at Schmalkalden and in 1552 found it possible to return to his bishopric. He died at Saalfeld, Nov. 12, 1560.
