Book of the Pontiffs 1 part 4/5

and an assembly being held, with great examination, by a synodal judgment, he was cleared by 56 bishops, and Bassus was condemned by the synod, yet on this condition: that on the last day the viaticum of the church's mercy should not be denied him. 2. Valentinian Augustus, hearing this with his mother Placidia Augusta, moved with holy fury, condemned Bassus by a written sentence and joined all the estates of his property to the catholic church. By the mark of the divine will Bassus died within 3 months. His body the bishop Xystus, handling it with his own hands with linen cloths and spices, buried and laid to rest at blessed Peter the apostle, in the burial-chamber of his parents.

3. He built the basilica of Saint Mary, which from ancient times was called the Liberian, beside the market of Livia, where also he offered this: an altar of purest silver, weighing 300 pounds; 3 silver patens, weighing 60 pounds; 4 silver ewers, weighing 60 pounds; a scyphus of purest gold, weighing 12 pounds; 5 silver scyphi, weighing 50 pounds; 2 golden service chalices, each weighing 1 pound; 10 silver service chalices, each weighing 3 pounds; a silver basin-and-ewer, weighing 8 pounds; a chandelier-crown before the altar, of silver, weighing 30 pounds; 34 silver chandelier-crowns, each weighing 10 pounds; 4 silver candlesticks, each weighing 20 pounds; a silver censer, weighing 5 pounds;

24 brass candle-bearing chandeliers, each weighing 15 pounds; the Scaurian estate, in the territory of Gaza, yielding in all on the premises, with its adjacent appurtenances, 312 solidi and a tremissis; the Marmorata estate, in the Praenestine territory, yielding 92 solidi; the estate of Celer, in the Afilan territory, yielding 111 solidi and a tremissis; the house of Palmatus, within the city, near the basilica there, with a bath and a bakery, yielding 154 solidi and 3 siliquae; the house of Claudius, in the Sicininum quarter, yielding 104 solidi; a silver stag pouring forth water, weighing 20 pounds; all the consecrated silver vessels of baptism, weighing 15 pounds; the dining-halls adjoining the basilica from the royal portico of the steps, and whatever is seen to be within.

4. He adorned with silver the confessio of the blessed Apostle Peter, which contains 400 pounds. At his entreaty the emperor Valentinian offered a golden image with twelve gates and the twelve apostles and the Saviour, adorned with most precious gems, which he set above the confessio of the blessed Apostle Peter as a thank-offering for the grace shown him. Moreover the emperor Valentinian, at the request of bishop Xystus, made a silver canopy in the Constantinian basilica, in place of the one that had been carried off by the barbarians, which contains 200 pounds. 5. In his days the emperor Valentinian made the confessio of the blessed Apostle Paul of silver, which contains 200 pounds.

Likewise bishop Xystus made the confessio of the blessed martyr Laurence with porphyry columns, and adorned the railing with slabs, and made the altar and confessio for the holy martyr Laurence of purest silver, weighing 50 pounds; silver lattice-screens above the porphyry slabs, weighing 300 pounds; an apse above the lattice-screens, with a silver statue of the blessed martyr Laurence, weighing 200 pounds. 6. Moreover he built a basilica for Saint Laurence, which the emperor Valentinian granted, where also he offered: 3 silver patens, each weighing 20 pounds; 3 silver ewers, each weighing 15 pounds; 4 silver chalices, each weighing 8 pounds; a single golden chalice, adorned with pearls, weighing 10 pounds; a golden lamp of 10 lights, weighing

10 pounds; 12 silver service-chalices, each weighing 2 pounds; a silver hand-basin, weighing 8 pounds; service-vessels for baptism and penance of silver, weighing 5 pounds; a brass basin, weighing 20 pounds; 30 silver candle-crowns, each weighing 6 pounds; 3 lamp-bearing chandeliers, each weighing 15 pounds; 2 silver candelabra, each weighing 30 pounds; 24 brass candle-bearing chandeliers in the nave of the basilica; 60 brass lamps. 7. Moreover he built a monastery in the Catacombs; he also made a baptismal font at Saint Mary's and adorned it with porphyry columns.

He set up columns in the baptistery of the Constantinian basilica, which had been gathered together from the time of the emperor Constantine, eight in number, of porphyry stone, which he erected and adorned with his inscriptions and verses; and a slab in the cemetery of Calixtus, where he commemorates the names of the bishops. Moreover he made 3 golden bowls: one for Saint Peter, weighing 6 pounds; one for Saint Paul, weighing 6 pounds; one for the blessed Laurence, weighing 3 pounds; 15 golden service-chalices, each weighing one pound apiece. 8. He held 3 ordinations in the month of December: 28 presbyters, 12 deacons; and 12 bishops in various places.

9. And in his days bishop Peter built a basilica in the city of Rome to Saint Sabina, where also he constructed a font. He too was buried on the Tiburtine Way, in a crypt, beside the body of the blessed Laurence. And the episcopate was vacant for 22 days. 1. Leo, of the Tuscan nation, son of Quintian, sat 21 years, 1 month, 13 days. In his days Demetria, a handmaid of God, built a basilica to Saint Stephen on the Latin Way, at the third milestone, on her own estate. 2. He confronted two heresies, the Eutychian and the Nestorian.

He issued his decrees by his own authority and sent them to the emperor Marcian, an orthodox and catholic prince; and after a conference held with that prince, the bishops were assembled and a holy council of bishops was held at Chalcedon, in the martyrium of Saint Euphemia; and 256 priests were gathered, and of others whose subscription was added, 406 bishops, who were assembled together with the Tome, that is the faith of the apostolic Roman Church, with the subscription of the holy bishop Leo; 3. and also of the catholic prince Marcian. In the presence of the emperor a council of 600 bishops was gathered together with the emperor Marcian, who set forth the catholic faith: two natures in one Christ, God and man.

In that place the most pious emperor Marcian, together with his wife the empress Pulcheria, laying aside their royal majesty, set forth their faith before the sight of the holy bishops, where they also condemned Eutyches and Nestorius. 4. And again the emperor Marcian Augustus with his wife Pulcheria Augusta, setting forth their faith by their own subscription, petitioned the holy council to direct it to the most blessed pope Leo, condemning all heresies. 5. Again the most blessed Leo the archbishop sent many letters of the faith, which are kept to this day in the archive. He frequently confirmed by his letters the council of Chalcedon:

to Marcian 12 letters, to Leo Augustus 13 letters, to bishop Flavian 9 letters, to the bishops throughout the East 18 letters, by which he confirmed the faith of the synod. 6. After the Vandal disaster he renewed all the consecrated silver service-vessels throughout all the titular churches, melting down 6 water-jars of the Constantinian basilica, two of the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter, two of the blessed Apostle Paul, which the emperor Constantine had offered, each weighing 100 pounds; from these he renewed all the consecrated vessels. He restored the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter [and its vaulting], and that of the blessed Paul he restored after the heavenly fire. Indeed he made a vaulting in the Constantinian basilica.

Moreover he built a basilica for the blessed Cornelius, bishop and martyr, beside the cemetery of Calixtus on the Appian Way. 7. For the sake of the Roman name he undertook an embassy and went to the king of the Huns, named Attila, and freed all Italy from the peril of its enemies. He established a monastery at the church of the blessed Apostle Peter. 8. He decreed that within the action of the sacrifice the words 'holy sacrifice' and the rest should be said. He decreed that a nun should not receive the blessing of the veil for her head unless she had been proved in virginity for 60 years. He appointed over the tombs of the apostles guardians who are called cubicularii, from the Roman clergy. 9. He held 4 ordinations in the city of Rome in the month of December: 81 presbyters, 31 deacons;

and 185 bishops in various places. He too was buried at the church of the blessed Apostle Peter, on the 3rd day before the Ides of April. And the episcopate was vacant for 7 days. 1. Hilarus, of the Sardinian nation, son of Crispinus, sat 6 years, 3 months, 10 days. He issued a decretal and spread it throughout the whole East, along with letters on the catholic faith, confirming the 3 councils of Nicaea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, and the Tome of the holy bishop Leo; and he condemned Eutyches and Nestorius and all their followers and all heresies; and he confirmed the lordship and primacy of the holy catholic and apostolic see. He made an enactment concerning the church in the basilica at Saint Mary's, in the consulship of Basiliscus and Hermenericus (465), on the 16th day before the Kalends of December.

2. He made 3 oratories in the baptistery of the Constantinian basilica, of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist and the Holy Cross, all of silver and precious stones: the confessio of Saint John the Baptist of silver, weighing 100 pounds, and a golden cross; the confessio of Saint John the Evangelist of silver, weighing 100 pounds, and a golden cross; in both oratories bronze doors plated with silver. 3. The oratory of the Holy Cross: a confessio, where he placed the wood of the Lord; a golden cross with gems, weighing 20 pounds; of silver in the confessio, doors weighing 50 pounds; above the confessio a golden arch weighing 4 pounds, which onyx columns support, where stands a golden lamb weighing

2 pounds; a golden crown before the confessio, a lamp-stand with dolphins, weighing 5 pounds; 4 golden lamps, each weighing 2 pounds; 4. a nymphaeum and a triple portico before the oratory of the Holy Cross, where there are columns of wondrous size which are called hecatompentaicae, and two fluted basins with grooved porphyry columns pouring forth water; and in the middle a porphyry pool with a grooved basin in the midst pouring forth water, surrounded on right and left in the centre by bronze railings and columns with pediments and architraves, adorned on every side with mosaic and with Aquitanian and Tripolitan and porphyry columns. 5. Before the confessio of the blessed John: a silver crown, weighing 20 pounds; a lamp-chandelier, weighing 25 pounds.

Likewise at Saint John's, within the holy font: a golden lamp with 10 sockets for lights, weighing 5 pounds; 3 silver stags pouring forth water, each weighing 30 pounds; a silver tower with dolphins, weighing 60 pounds; a golden dove, weighing 2 pounds. 6. In the Constantinian basilica: silver lamp-chandeliers which hang before the altar, 10, each weighing 20 pounds; a golden bowl, weighing 6 pounds; another golden bowl, weighing 5 pounds; 5 golden chalices, each weighing 1 pound; 5 silver bowls, each weighing 10 pounds; 20 silver service-chalices, each weighing 2 pounds; 5 silver ewers, each weighing 10 pounds. 7. At the church of the blessed Apostle Peter: a golden bowl, weighing 5 pounds;

another golden bowl with green and jacinth gems, weighing 4 pounds; 10 silver service-chalices, each weighing 2 pounds; 2 silver ewers, each weighing 8 pounds; 24 silver lamp-chandeliers, each weighing 5 pounds. 8. At the church of the blessed Apostle Paul: a golden bowl, weighing 5 pounds; another golden bowl with gems, weighing 5 pounds; 4 silver bowls, each weighing 6 pounds; 10 service-chalices, each weighing 2 pounds; 2 silver ewers, each weighing 10 pounds. 9. At the church of the blessed martyr Laurence: a golden bowl with green and jacinth gems, weighing 4 pounds; a golden lamp of 10 sockets, weighing 5 pounds; a bowl of purest gold, weighing 5 pounds; 2 golden lamps, each weighing 1 pound;

a golden lamp-chandelier, weighing 2 pounds; a silver tower with dolphins, weighing 25 pounds; 3 silver bowls, each weighing 8 pounds; 12 silver service-chalices, each weighing 2 pounds; a silver altar, weighing 40 pounds; 10 silver lamps, weighing 20 pounds; 2 silver ewers, each weighing 10 pounds. 10. In the basilica of the blessed martyr Laurence: 10 silver lamp-chandeliers, weighing 60 pounds; 26 brass chandeliers; service-vessels for baptism or for penance, of silver, weighing 10 pounds; 50 brass lamps. 11. And in the city of Rome he established service-vessels to be carried round to the appointed stations: a golden stational bowl, weighing 8 pounds; 25 silver bowls for the titular churches, each weighing 10 pounds;

25 silver ewers, each weighing 10 pounds; 50 silver service-chalices, each weighing 2 pounds. 12. He stored away all that had been established in the Constantinian basilica and at Saint Mary's. He built a monastery at Saint Laurence's, and a bath, and another in the open air, and a residence. Moreover he made 2 libraries in the same place. Likewise a monastery within the city of Rome at Luna. 13. He held one ordination in the city of Rome in the month of December: 25 presbyters, 6 deacons; 22 bishops in various places. He too was buried at Saint Laurence's in the crypt, beside the body of the blessed bishop Xystus. And the episcopate was vacant for 10 days. 1. Simplicius, of the Tiburtine nation, son of Castinus, sat 15 years, 1 month, 7 days.

He dedicated the basilica of Saint Stephen on the Caelian Hill in the city of Rome, and the basilica of the blessed apostle Andrew, beside the basilica of Saint Mary, and another basilica of Saint Stephen, beside the basilica of Saint Laurence, and another basilica within the city of Rome, beside the Licinian palace, of the blessed martyr Bibiana, where her body rests. 2. He established at the church of the holy Apostle Peter and at the holy Apostle Paul and at the holy martyr Laurence weekly turns so that presbyters should remain there, on account of the penitents and baptism: the third region at Saint Laurence's, the first region at Saint Paul's, the sixth or seventh region at Saint Peter's.

3. Under his episcopate a report came from Greece, from Acacius, bishop of Constantinople, and it affirmed that Peter of the city of Alexandria was a Eutychianist heretic, a petition having been made by bishop Acacius and drawn up by his subscription. At that same time the Church—that is, the first apostolic see—acted as executrix. Then the bishop Simplicius, hearing this, condemned Peter of Alexandria, against whom Acacius affirmed countless crimes, yet in such a way as to reserve a time for penance. 4. At the same time Timothy the catholic and Acacius wrote back, saying that Peter had even been implicated in the death of Proterius the catholic. Then the archbishop Simplicius, dissembling, never wrote back to Acacius, but condemned Peter, awaiting the time of penance.

5. He made in the church of Rome a golden bowl, weighing 5 pounds; 16 silver chandeliers at the church of the blessed Peter, each weighing 12 pounds. He held 3 ordinations in the city of Rome in the months of December and February: 58 presbyters, 11 deacons; 88 bishops in various places. He was buried in the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter, on the 6th day before the Nones of March. And the episcopate was vacant for 6 days. 1. Felix, of the Roman nation, son of Felix a presbyter of the title of Fasciola, sat 8 years, 11 months, 17 days. He lived in the times of king Odoacer down to the times of king Theodoric. He built the basilica of Saint Agapitus beside the basilica of the holy martyr Laurence.

2. Under his episcopate a report again came from the Greeks that Peter of Alexandria had been recalled by Acacius, bishop of Constantinople. Then the venerable Felix, archbishop of the apostolic see of the city of Rome, sending a defensor with the counsel of his see, held a council and condemned Acacius together with Peter. 3. After 3 years a report again came from the emperor Zeno asking that Acacius might return as a penitent. Then pope Felix sent two bishops, Misenus and Vitalis, that if they should find Acacius an accomplice of Peter they should condemn them again; if not, they should present a libellus of penance. But when they had entered Constantinople, the aforesaid bishops were corrupted by money given them and did not act according to the command of the apostolic see.

4. But when they came to Rome, to the apostolic see, pope Felix held a council, and an examination having been made, the judgment found both bishops, that is Misenus and Vitalis, guilty and corrupted by money; and he removed the bishops Misenus and Vitalis from communion. Then bishop Misenus did not keep silent that he had been corrupted by money; to whom the council granted a time of penance. This was done in the time of king Odoacer. 5. He held 2 ordinations in the city of Rome in the month of December: 28 presbyters, 5 deacons; 31 bishops in various places. He was buried in the basilica of the blessed Apostle Paul. And the episcopate was vacant for 5 days. And after his passing an enactment was made by the presbyters and deacons concerning the whole church.

1. Gelasius, of the African nation, son of Valerius, sat 4 years, 8 months, 18 days. He lived in the times of king Theodoric and the emperor Zeno. In his days Manichaeans were discovered in the city of Rome, whom he commanded to be deported into exile, and whose books he consumed by fire before the doors of the basilica of Saint Mary. 2. By the proceedings of a synod, with weeping, under the satisfaction of a libellus, he recalled the bishop Misenus, now cleared, and restored him to his church—the man who had sinned in the affair of Acacius and Peter. He was a lover of the poor and enlarged the clergy. He freed the city of Rome from the peril of famine. 3. He made an enactment concerning the whole church.

In his days a report again came from the Greeks, to the effect that many evils and murders were being committed by Peter and Acacius at Constantinople. At that same time the catholic bishop John of Alexandria, fleeing, came to Rome to the apostolic see; whom the blessed Gelasius received with glory, and to whom he even granted the second seat. 4. In those same times he held a synod and sent it throughout the region of the East, and again he sent it and condemned Acacius and Peter forever, unless, repenting under the satisfaction of a libellus, they should ask for penance. 5. He dedicated the basilica of the holy martyr Euphemia in the Tiburtine city, and other basilicas of the holy ones Nicander, Eleutherius and Andrew on the Labican Way, at the villa Pertusa.

Moreover he built the basilica of Saint Mary on the Laurentine Way, on the estate Crispinis. 6. He wrote 5 books against Nestorius and Eutyches; he also composed hymns after the manner of the blessed Ambrose; likewise two books against Arius; he also composed prefaces and prayers for the sacraments in careful language, and many letters of the faith in polished language. Under his episcopate the clergy increased. 7. He held 2 ordinations in the city of Rome in the months of December and February: 32 presbyters, 2 deacons; 67 bishops in various places. He too was buried in the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter, on the 11th day before the Kalends of December. And the episcopate was vacant for 7 days. 1. Anastasius, of the Roman nation, son of Peter, of the fifth region at the Head of Taurus, sat 1 year, 11 months,

24 days. He lived in the times of king Theodoric. He made the confessio of the blessed martyr Laurence of silver, weighing 80 pounds. 2. At that same time many clerics and presbyters withdrew themselves from communion with him, because he had communicated, without the counsel of the presbyters or bishops or clerics of the whole catholic church, with a deacon of Thessalonica named Photinus, who was in communion with Acacius, and because he wished secretly to recall Acacius and could not. He was struck down by the nod of God. 3. He held one ordination in the city of Rome in the month of December: 12 presbyters; 16 bishops in various places. He too was buried in the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter, on the 13th day before the Kalends of December. And the episcopate was vacant for 4 days.

1. Symmachus, of the Sardinian nation, son of Fortunatus, sat 15 years, 7 months, 27 days. He lived in the times of king Theodoric and the emperor Anastasius, from the 10th day before the Kalends of December until the 14th day before the Kalends of August. He was ordained amid contention on the same day with Laurence—Symmachus in the Constantinian basilica, Laurence in the basilica of the blessed Mary. 2. For which cause the clergy was separated and divided, and the senate too: some with Symmachus, others indeed with Laurence. And when contention had arisen, the parties determined that both should go to Ravenna, to the judgment of king Theodoric.

And when both had entered Ravenna, this judgment of equity was reached: that whoever had been first ordained, or where the greater part should be recognized, he should sit in the apostolic see. And this equity, by the discernment of the truth, found in favour of Symmachus, and Symmachus was made the prelate. At that same time pope Symmachus gathered a synod and appointed Laurence bishop in the city of Nuceria, out of regard for mercy. 3. But after 4 years, certain men of the clergy and certain of the senate, led by zeal, especially Festus and Probinus, brought charges against Symmachus and suborned false witnesses, whom they sent to Ravenna to king Theodoric, accusing the blessed Symmachus; and they secretly recalled Laurence after a libellus had been made at Rome;

and they made a schism, and the clergy was divided again; and some were in communion with Symmachus, others with Laurence. Then the senators Festus and Probinus sent a report to the king and began to act so that the king should give a visitor to the apostolic see. Then the king gave Peter, bishop of the city of Altinum, which the canons forbade. 4. At that same time the blessed Symmachus gathered 115 bishops, and a synod having been held, he was cleared of the false charge, and Peter of Altinum, the usurper of the apostolic see, and Laurence of Nuceria were condemned, because while bishop Symmachus was living they had usurped his see. Then by all the bishops and presbyters and deacons and the whole clergy the blessed Symmachus was reinstated to the apostolic see, to sit as prelate with glory at the church of the blessed Peter.

5. At that same time Festus, head of the senate and ex-consul, and Probinus, ex-consul, began to fight within the city of Rome with other senators, and especially with Faustus, ex-consul. And there was slaughter and murder among the clergy out of envy. And those who were in communion with the blessed Symmachus justly, if they were found publicly within the City, were slain with the sword; even consecrated women and virgins, being dragged from their monasteries or their dwellings, with their womanly sex stripped bare, were wounded, afflicted with cruel blows; and every day they waged battles against the church in the midst of the city.

They even killed many priests, among them Dignissimus and Gordianus, presbyters of Saint Peter ad Vincula and of the holy John and Paul, whom they slew with clubs and the sword; and they killed many Christians, so that none of the clergy had any security to walk about in the city by day or by night. Faustus the ex-consul alone fought for the church. After all these things the blessed Symmachus discovered Manichaeans in the city of Rome, all of whose images and books he consumed by fire before the doors of the Constantinian basilica, and banished those men themselves into exile. He lived from the consulship of Paulinus (498) until the consulship of Senator (514). 6. He built the basilica of the holy apostle Andrew at the church of the blessed Peter, where he made:

a ciborium of purest silver and a confessio, weighing 120 pounds; 3 silver arches, weighing 60 pounds; the oratory of the holy apostle Thomas: of silver, weighing in the confessio 20 pounds; a silver arch, weighing 16 pounds; the confessio of Saint Cassian and of the holy ones Protus and Hyacinthus of silver, weighing 20 pounds; a silver arch, weighing 12 pounds; the oratory of Saint Apollinaris: of silver in the confessio with the arch, weighing 31 pounds; the oratory of Saint Sossius: of silver, the confessio weighing 20 pounds. 7. Likewise at the font, in the basilica of the holy Apostle Peter: the oratory of the Holy Cross: of silver, the confessio and a cross of gold with gems, where he enclosed the wood of the Lord; that golden cross weighing 10 pounds;

moreover he made 2 oratories, of Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, in whose confessiones with silver arches, weighing 30 pounds; all of which chambers he built complete from the foundation. He adorned the basilica of the blessed Peter with marbles. At the basin of the blessed Peter with its quadriportico he adorned it with marble work, and with mosaic he adorned lambs and crosses and palms. The whole atrium itself he reconstructed; he enlarged the steps before the doors of the basilica of the blessed Peter, and built other steps beneath the beam on the right and the left. Likewise he made bishops' residences in the same place on the right and the left.

Likewise beneath the steps in the atrium he placed another basin outside in the open ground and provided for the necessity of human use. And he made other steps for those ascending to the blessed Andrew, and placed a basin there. 8. He built the basilica of the holy martyr Agatha on the Aurelian Way, on the estate Lardarium: he constructed it from the foundation with a font, where he placed 2 silver arches. At that same time he built the basilica of Saint Pancras, where also he made a silver arch, weighing 15 pounds; moreover in the same place he made a bath. Likewise at the church of the blessed Apostle Paul: in the basilica he renewed the apse, which was threatening to fall in ruin, and behind the confessio he adorned the painting and made a vaulting and a women's gallery;

and above the confessio he placed a silver image with the Saviour and the 12 apostles, which weighs 120 pounds; and before the doors of the basilica he made steps into the atrium and a basin; and behind the apse he brought in water, where also he made a bath from the foundation. 9. Within the city of Rome, he constructed from the foundation the basilica of the holy ones Silvester and Martin beside the Baths of Trajan, where also above the altar he made a silver ciborium, which weighs 120 pounds; 12 silver arches, each weighing 10 pounds; a silver confessio, weighing 15 pounds. At the church of the blessed John and Paul he made steps behind the apse. Likewise at the church of the archangel Michael he enlarged the basilica and made steps and brought in water.