E01370: The short Life of Vigilius, bishop of Rome 537-555, in the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome, probably during the 6th c., mentions offerings to the basilica of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) and the foundation of a xenodochium, both in Rome, and the foundation of a monastery of *Iuvenalis (bishop of Narni, S00815), at Hortae (present-day Orte) on the via Flaminia, north of Rome, all by the general Belisarius, in c. 540.

Liber Pontificalis 61

The account of Vigilius' pontificate describes, in a confusing way, the campaigns in Italy of Belisarius, and then Narses.

Tunc Vilisarius patricius de spolia Wandalorum veniens Roma, obtulit beato Petro apostolo per manus Vigilii papae crucem auream cum gemmis, pens. lib. C, scribens victorias suas, et cereostatos deauratos maiores II, qui stant usque hodie ante corpus beati Petri apostoli. Sed et alia multa dona et elemosynas pauperum largitus est. Fecit enim Vilisarius patricius xenodochium in via Lata, et in via Flamminea iuxta civitate Hortas monasterium sancti Iuvenalis, ubi possessiones et dona multa largitus est.

'Then Belisarius came to Rome, and from the spoils of the Vandals presented to St Peter by the hands of pope Vigilius a gold cross with jewels, weighing 100 lb, with an inscription detailing his victories, and the two great silver-gilt candlesticks which still stand today before the body of the blessed Peter the apostle. Belisarius also presented many other gifts and alms for the poor; he built a hostel for strangers on the via Lata, and the monastery of saint Iuvenalis on the via Flaminia close to the city of Horta, where he presented many properties and gifts.'


Text: Duchesne 1886, 296. Translation: Davis 2010, 55, lightly modified. Summary: Robert Wiśniewski.