EGINO of VERONA. - He probably descended from a noble Swabian family related to the Alcholfinger dukes; he was educated in the monastery of Reichenau, where he received an excellent cultural formation.
He served CHARLEMAGNE, who sent him as bishop to Verona in 772, in order to strengthen Carolingian rule in northern Italy. E. not only achieved political successes but also promoted the interests of good governance in the diocese. After many years of governance, he returned to Reichenau to the abbot Waldo, his friend, and here, around 799, founded Niederzell, a church dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul. He had left at Verona, as vicar of the diocese, Ratoldo, perhaps his nephew, already major chaplain of the court of PIPPIN. He died at Reichenau on 27 February 800, as attested by the chronicle of Hermannus Contractus.
Of literary interest, E. left a valuable collection of homilies by Church Fathers, especially Augustine and Leo, and many others of lesser note. The collection belongs to the group of ancient sermonaries of Roman type, such as that of Alano of Farfa and of St. Peter in the Vatican, later superseded by that of Paul the Deacon.