THE PAPACY AND BYZANTIUM IN THE SEVENTH- AND EARLY EIGHTH-CENTURY SECTIONS OF THE<i>LIBER PONTIFICALIS</i>
Rosamond McKitterick
The Liber pontificalis , the serial biography of popes running from Saint Peter to end ninth century, first compiled in Rome during ‘Gothic Wars’ sixth century and continued at various stages next three centuries, offers a distinctive narrative history papacy early Middle Ages. This paper argues that seventh- eighth-century sections, too often simply mined for nuggets information about church buildings, represent pope particular way both relation Byzantium theological political terms, as successor Rome. papal undermines usual assumptions so-called ‘Byzantine Reconquest’ Roman perception, if not reality, degree which rule’ was exercised Italy between middle half eighth century. Lastly, these ‘continuations’ have important implications any interpretation purpose construction its dissemination beyond seventh centuries.
Papers of the British School at Rome