Matthias Flacius (1520-1575), a Latinized form of Matija Vlačić, took the name Illyricus to honor his birth land. A polarizing figure, this disciple of Luther was condemned by Catholics and moderating Lutherans alike, and even those in theological agreement often found reason to dislike him. Nevertheless, his contributions helped preserve the Lutheran Reformation against more mediating or compromising positions, such as that of Philipp Melanchthon.