E07831: The author of the Copenhagen Continuation of Prosper, an anonymous continuation of the Latin chronicle of Prosper of Aquitaine, says that when the Lombard king Agilulf besieged Rome in 593, Pope Gregory met him at the steps of St *Peter's (S00036) basilica on the Vatican, and persuaded him to lift the siege. Written in northern Italy, c. 625.

'Final parts of the Copenhagen continuation' (Auctarii Hauniensis extrema) 17

Postremum cum totius robore exercitus ad obsidionem urbis Romae perrexit ibique cum beatum Gregorium, qui tunc egregie regebat ecclesiam, sibi ad gradus basilicae beati Petri apostolorum principis occurrentem reperisset, eius precibus fractus et sapientia atque religionis gravitate tanti viri permotus ab urbis obsidione abscedit.

'Finally, with the strength of his whole army, he [Agilulf] proceeded to the siege of the city of Rome, and there, when he found the blessed Gregory, who then wonderfully governed the church, coming to meet him at the steps of the basilica of the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, he was overcome by Gregory's prayers, and, moved by the wisdom and the gravity of religion of such a great man, he abandoned the siege of the city.'


Text: Mommsen 1892, 339. Translation: David Lambert.