The Translation of St Sylvester’s Relics from Rome to Nonantola: Itineraries of corpora sacra at the Crossroads between Devotion and Identity in Eighth-Tenth-Century Italy
Edoardo Manarini
Pope Sylvester I (314-335) became an important figure in the political history of early medieval Italy. His legendary relationship with Constantine (306-337), first Christian emperor, played a significant role establishing his ideological prominence. Declared saint Roman Church, Sylvesterâs relics did not gain much attention until middle eighth century, when they source competition. On one hand, popes venerated body monastery St Stephen and Sylvester, founded by Paul around 760 inside Eternal City; on other Lombard king Aistulf brother-in-law, Abbot Anselm, claimed to have brought north, order them buried Anselmâs newly Nonantola Po Valley. Scholars would appear overlooked this major issue investigating between elite society century. This article will therefore consider dates, forms, narratives translatio evaluate Nonantolaâs involvement Â»holyÂ« movement. The main argument is that through Â»journeyÂ« within kingdom, King was able increase prestige influence. For its part, rewrote origins centring it Constantinian pontiff those Hadrian I, claim spiritual primacy throughout period.
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