E05806: Agnellus of Ravenna, in his Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiae Ravennatis, written in Latin, describes a mosaic and quotes a Latin inscription commemorating *Peter (the Apostle S00036) in the episcopal palace in Ravenna (northern Italy); he claims they originate from 450/73. Account written in Ravenna in 830/846.

Agnellus of Ravenna, Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiae Ravennatis 29

In his account of the life of Neon (Bishop of Ravenna, 450-73), Agnellus describes a mosaic and inscription dedicated to Peter.

Et in alia fronte depicta historia Petri apostoli, subscripti que sunt uersus metrici:

Accipe, sancte, libens, paruum ne despice carmen, 
Pauca tuae laudi nostris dicenda loquelis. 
Euge, Simon Petre, et missum tibi suscipe munus, 
In quod sumere te uoluit rex magnus ab alto. 
Suscipe de caelo pendentia lintea plena, [5] 
Missa Petro tibi: haec diuersa animalia portant, 
Quae mactare Deus te mox et mandere iussit. 
In nullis dubitare licet quae munda creauit 
Omnipotens genitor; rerum cui summa potestas. 
Euge, Simon Petre, quem gaudet mens aurea Christi, [10]
Lumen apostolicum cunctos ornare per annos: 
In te sancta Dei pollens ecclesia fulget, 
In te firma suae domus fundamenta locauit 
Principis aetherii clarus per saecula natus. 
Cunctis clara tibi est uirtus, censura fidis que. [15]
Bis senos inter fratres in principe sistis 
Ipse loco, legis que nouae tibi dantur ab alto - 
Quis fera corda domas hominum, pectora mulces 
Christicolas que doces tu omnes esse per orbem - 
Iam que tuis meritis Christi parat gloria regnum. [20]


‘And on the other façade was depicted the story of the apostle Peter and underneath are written metrical verses:

Receive gladly, O saint, and do not despise this small song, we must say a few words in your praise. Hail Simon Peter, and accept the gift sent to you, in which the great king wanted you to take from on high. Take the full linen sheets hanging from heaven [5], sent to you, Peter; they bear these diverse animals which God ordered you to kill and eat. It is permitted to doubt no pure thing which the Almighty creator, who has the highest power over things, created. Hail Simon Peter, apostolic light, whom the golden mind of Christ rejoices [10] to adorn through all the years: in you the holy church of God shines mightily, on you the Son of the heavenly Prince, famous through the ages, placed firm foundations of his house. Your virtue is clear to all and judgement to the faithful [15]. You stand as prince among your twelve brothers, and new laws are given to you from on high – by which you tame the fierce hearts of men, you soothe hearts, you teach all to be Christians throughout the world – and now by your merits Christ’s glory prepares the kingdom [20].'

Text: Deliyannis 2006. Translation: Deliyannis 2004.