Rome and the Invention of the Papacy: The Liber Pontificalis by Rosamond McKitterick
Carmela Vircillo Franklin
Reviewed by: Rome and the Invention of Papacy: The Liber Pontificalis by Rosamond McKitterick Carmela Vircillo Franklin Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020. Pp. 288. ISBN: 978-110-883682-1 In this multifaceted wide-ranging book, eminent historian Carolingian Europe brings together her studies on early medieval its pontificalis, series papal biographies composed in sixth century, continued into papacy Stephen V (885–891). Papacy interprets pontificalis as a deliberate project originating within court with full participation popes, response to political map put place after fall western Roman Empire. Liber's primary goal was consolidate Rome's new image Christian capital, constructed both visibly intellectually over pagan city, whose bishops replaced emperors power. story text told McKitterick's narrative begins discussion much-debated origins, models, foundational biography Apostle Peter. continues then chronicle's representation physical city renovated Constantine's building program, role creation doctrine liturgy, legal ecclesiological institutions. final chapter (Chapter 6) investigates how, through various redactions abbreviations, extensive manuscript transmission, served crucial instrument which popes [End Page 542] communicated exploited rest Italy abroad. This brief overview is but meager summary rich variety topics covered book. joins scholars such Hermann Geertman, Lidia Capo, Andrea Verardi Clemens Gantner, who, since late twentieth began challenge consensus pontificalis's origins development enshrined critical editions published Louis Duchesne Theodor Mommsen last decade nineteenth century. perspective, she states clearly, departs from earlier approaches have considered chronicle an outgrowth local concerns, ecclesial doctrinal controversies schism, Laurentian Acacian schisms fifth centuries, establishment episcopal primacy correct order apostolic succession. While Mommsen's approach completely philological (tellingly, he offered no commentary), Duchesne, Catholic priest, keenly invested implications reception even modern times, his massive edition publications illustrate. attention transmission history impact comprehensive range subjects, Duchesne's tradition. strategy utilizes double approach. One interpret own internal narrative, illustrated, for example, novel consideration people key protagonist 2). other perspectives provided historical contexts varied reception, as, account liturgists' appreciation position liturgical 5). painting fuller panorama received, details are sometimes inaccurate. Thus, oldest surviving member E-class manuscripts, Biblioteca apostolica vaticana, Vat. lat. 3764 (E1), wrongly attributed scriptorium Abbey Farfa, rather than shown Paola Supino Martini, Roma e l'area grafica romanesca. Secoli X-XII (1987). Additionally, complete A-class Lucca, Capitolare, MS 490, not, asserted here, source manuscripts class, illustrated Duchesne's...
Journal of Late Antiquity