E00485: The Piacenza Pilgrim mentions, in his account of Bethlehem (Palestine), the basilica of *David (Old Testament king of Israel, S00269), with the tombs of David and his son, King *Solomon (S00270); also the tomb of the Holy *Innocents (the children killed on the orders of Herod, S00268), whose bones can be seen together in one place. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 570.

Pilgrim of Piacenza, Itinerarium 29

First recension
Continuo medium miliarium a Bethlem in suburbio Dauid ibi iacet in corpore, simul et Salomon filius ipsius, duo monumenta. Quae basilica ad sanctum Dauid appellatur. Nam et infantes, quos occidit Herodes, in ipso loco habent monumentum et omnes in unum requiescunt et aperitur et uidentur ossa ipsorum.

'Half a mile from Bethlehem, in the suburb, David's body lies buried with his son, Solomon, and they have separate tombs. The basilica is called At Saint David. The children slaughtered by Herod also have their tomb there, and they all lie buried together. When their tomb is opened you can look at their bones.'


Second recension
Miliario semis de Bethleem in suburbi Dauid iacet Dauid et Salomon filius eius, et appellatur locus ille basilica sancti Dauid. Sed et infantes, quos occidit Herodes, ipso in loco habent sepulchra, et in uno omnes requiescunt domo, et aperiuntur eorum monumenta et uidentur illorum sancta ossa.

'Half a mile from Bethlehem, in the suburb, David's body lies buried with his son, Solomon. And this place is called the basilica of saint David. The children slaughtered by Herod also have their tomb there, and they all lie in one house. When their tomb is opened you can look at their holy bones.'


Text: Geyer 1898, 178 and 209. Translation: Wilkinson 2002, 142-143, lightly modified.