Martin Luther was born in Eisleben in 1483, within the Holy Roman Empire. He initially studied law before choosing monastic life and joining the Augustinian order. As a theologian and university professor in Wittenberg, he became increasingly troubled by the sale of indulgences and by the question of how human beings could attain salvation.
In 1517 Luther made public his Ninety-five Theses on indulgences. Printing enabled his arguments to spread rapidly across Europe. What began as an academic dispute became a struggle over papal authority, the interpretation of Scripture and justification through faith. Excommunicated in 1521, Luther refused to retract his teachings at the Diet of Worms that same year. While sheltered at Wartburg Castle, he translated the New Testament into German.
His writings and biblical translations helped establish Protestant Christianity and had a profound effect on written German. The Reformation also produced bitter religious and political divisions. Luther's legacy remains contentious because of his harsh statements against rebellious peasants and, especially in later life, Jews. He died in Eisleben in 1546. Few individuals did more to reshape the religious map of early modern Europe.
