E01244: The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, is critical of *Liberius (bishop of Rome, ob. 366, S00758), but mentions his burial in the cemetery of Priscilla on the via Salaria, on 9 September [AD 366], and his links with the churches of the Apostles *Peter (S00036) and *Paul (S00008), and, particularly that of *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097), which he beautified, all in Rome.

Liber Pontificalis 37

First edition (as reconstructed by Duchesne)

Liberius, natione Romanus, ex patre Augusto, sedit ann. VI m. III d. IIII. Fuit autem temporibus Constantii usque ad Constantio Aug. III. Hic exilio deputatur a Constantio eo quod noluissent heresi arrianae consentire, et fecit ibi annos III...

'Liberius, born in Rome, son of Augustus, held the see 6 years 3 months 4 days. He was bishop in the time of Constantius until the 3rd [consulship] of the emperor Constantius. He was sent into exile by Constantius for refusing to agree to the Arian heresy, and spent 3 years in exile.'


There follows the description of Liberius' exile from Rome by the emperor Constantius.


Tunc revocaverunt Liberium de exilio; habitavit in cimiterio sanctae Agnis apud germanam Constanti Aug., ut quasi per eius rogatu rediret in civitatem... Eodem tempore Constantius una cum Ursacio et Valentem convocaverunt aliquos, qui ex fece arriana erant, et misit et revocaverunt revocaverunt Liberium de cimiterio sanctae Agnae...

'Then Liberius was recalled from exile; he lived at the cemetery of saint Agnes with the emperor Constantius’ sister, in the hope that her intervention or request might gain him admittance to the city... At this time Constantius together with Ursacius and Valens summoned some of those from the Arian dregs, and they sent for Liberius, and recalled him from the cemetery of saint Agnes... '


Liberius then comes to an agreement with the Arian emperor Constantius.


Qui etiam sepultus est in cimiterio Priscillae, via Salaria, V id. sept.

'He was buried on the via Salaria in the cemetery of Priscilla on 9 September.'



Second edition

Liberius, natione Romanus, ex patre Augusto, sedit ann. VI m. III d. IIII. Fuit autem temporibus Constantini filii Constantini usque ad Constantio Aug. III. Hic exilio deportatur a Constantio eo quod noluissent heresi Arrianae consentire, et fecit in exilio annos III...

'Liberius, born in Rome, son of Augustus, held the see 6 years 3 months 4 days. He was bishop in the time of Constantine son of Constantine until the 3rd [consulship] of the emperor Constantius. He was sent into exile by Constantius for refusing to agree to the Arian heresy, and spent 3 years in exile.'


There follows the description of Liberius' exile from Rome by the emperor Constantius.


Rediens autem Liberius de exilio habitabit in cymiterio sanctae Agnes apud germanam Constanti Augusti, ut quasi per eius interventionem aut rogatu rediret Liberius in civitatem... Eodem tempore Constantius una cum Ursacio et Valente convocaverunt aliquos, qui ex fece arriana erant, et quasi facto concilio misit et revocavit Liberium de cymiterio beatae Agnae...

'On his return from exile Liberius lived at the cemetery of saint Agnes with the emperor Constantius’ sister, in the hope that her intervention or request might gain him admittance to the city... Then Constantius along with Ursacius and Valens summoned some of those from the Arian dregs, and just as if a council had been held he sent and recalled Liberius from the cemetery of the blessed Agnes.'


Liberius then comes to an agreement with the Arian emperor Constantius.


Et tenuit basilicas beati Petri et beati Pauli et basilicam Constantinianam annos VI, et persecutio magna fuit in urbe Roma, ita ut clerici et sacerdotes neque in ecclesia neque in balnea haberent introitum...

'For 6 years he held the basilicas of St Peter and St Paul and the Constantinian basilica [= the Lateran basilica]; there was a great persecution in Rome, which meant that the clerics and priests could gain no entry into church or baths...'


Hic Liberius ornavit de platomis marmoreis sepulchrum sanctae Agnaes martyris...

'Liberius decorated the tomb of the martyr saint Agnes with marble tablets (platomis marmoreis)... '


Qui etiam sepultus est via Salaria in cymiterio Priscillae VIII kal. Mai.

'He was buried on the via Salaria in the cemetery of Priscilla on 9 September.'


Text: Duchesne 1886, 83/85 and 207-208. Translation: Davis 2010, 27-28, lightly modified.