E00341: The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Pontianus (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00169), tells of his martyrdom in Sardinia on 30 October, the transfer of his body to Rome, and its burial in the cemetery of Callixtus on the via Appia outside the city.

Liber Pontificalis 19

First edition (as reconstructed by Duchesne)

Pontianus, natione Romanus, ex patre Calpurnio, sed. ann. VIIII m. V d. II. Martyrio coronatur. (Hic fuit) temporibus Alexandri, a consolatu Pompeiani et Peliniani. Eodem tempore Pontianus episcopus et Yppolitus presbiter exilio sunt deputati ab Alexandro in Sardinia insula Bucina, Severo et Quintiano consulibus. In eadem insula adflictus, maceratus fustibus, defunctus est III kl. novemb. ... Quem beautus Fabianus adduxit navigio et sepelivit in cimeterio Calesti, via Appia.

'Pontianus, born in Rome, son of Calpurnius, held the see 9 years 5 months 2 days. He was crowned with martyrdom. He was bishop in the time of Alexander from the consulship of Pompeianus and Paelignianus [AD 231]. Then Pontianus the bishop and Hippolytus the priest were carried off into exile by Alexander to Sardinia, the island Bucina, in the consulship of Severus and Quintianus [AD 235]. In that island he suffered, was beaten with clubs and died on the third day before the Kalends of November [30 October] ... the blessed Fabianus brought him by ship and buried him in the cemetery of Callixtus on the via Appia.'


Second edition

Pontianus, natione Romanus, ex patre Calpurnio, sed. ann. VIIII m. V d. II. Martyrio coronatur. Fuit autem temporibus Alexandri, a consulatu Pompeiani et Peliniani. Eodem tempore Pontianus episcopus et Yppolitus presbiter exilio sunt deportati ab Alexandro in Sardinia insula Bucina, Severo et Quintiano consulibus. In eadem insula adflictus, maceratus fustibus, defunctus est III kal. novemb. ... Quem beautus Fabianus adduxit cum clero per navem et sepelivit in cymeterio Calisti, via Appia.

'Pontianus, born in Rome, son of Calpurnius, held the see 9 years 5 months 2 days. He was crowned with martyrdom. He was bishop in the time of Alexander from the consulship of Pompeianus and Paelignianus [AD 231]. Then Pontianus the bishop and Hippolytus the priest were carried off into exile by Alexander to Sardinia, the island Bucina, in the consulship of Severus and Quintianus [AD 235]. On that island he suffered, was beaten with clubs and died on the third day before the Kalends of November [30 October] ... the blessed Fabianus and the clergy brought him by ship and buried him in the cemetery of Callixtus on the via Appia.'


Text: Duchesne 1886: 63/65 and 145. Translation: Davis 2010, 7-8, lightly modified.