Mathias, Flaccus, or Francowitz, one of the most learned divines of the Augsburg confession, born in Istria, anciently called Illyria, in 1520. He is said to have been a man of considerable genius, extensive learning, and of great zeal against popery; but he was of a restless and passionate temper, which overbalanced all his good qualities, and occasioned much disturbance in the Protestant church. He published a great number of books, and died in 1575.