Arbeo of Freising wrote a biography of Emmeram in 750, the "Vita Sancti Emmerami", about 100 years after the saint's death. The literature tells the story of Emmeram, born to a noble family in Aquitaine. According to some people, he became Bishop of Poitiers, even if his name does not appear on the rolls. There is speculation that he held the office briefly between the death of Dido and the accession of Ansoaldus. Having heard of idolatry in Bavaria, he decided to travel to Ratisbon (Regensburg) some time after the year 649 to the court of Agilofing, Theodo I, Duke of Bavaria. He supposedly travelled up the Loire, crossed through the Black Forest and then followed the Danube to Regensburg. Theodo welcomed Emmeram to his court, where he laboured for three years carrying out missionary work. During this time, he gained a reputation as a pious man.