E01294: The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Xystus/Sixtus III (bishop of Rome, ob. 440, S00764), tells of the burial of a certain Bassus close to the body of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) at the Vatican, and of that of Xystus himself on the via Tiburtina outside Rome, close to the body of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) [AD 440].

Liber Pontificalis 46

First edition (as reconstructed by Duchesne)

Xystus, natione Romanus, ex patre Xysto, sedit ann. VIII d. XVIIII...

'Xystus [III], born in Rome, son of Xystus, held the see 8 years 19 days...'


There follows the list of Xystus' foundations and offerings (see $E01295).


Qui etiam sepultus est via Tiburtina in crypta, ad sanctum Laurentium.

'He was buried on the Via Tiburtina in the crypt close to St Laurence.'


Second edition

Xystus, natione Romanus, ex patre Xysto, sedit ann. VIII d. XVIIII...

'Xystus [III], born in Rome, son of Xystus, held the see 8 years 19 days...'


There follows the story of a certain Bassus who falsely accused Xystus, was excommunicated by a synod and deprived of property by the emperor.


Qui notu divinitatis intra menses III defunctus moritur Bassus. Cuius corpus Xystus episcopus cum linteaminibus et aromatibus manibus suis tractans recondens sepellivit ad beatum Petrum apostolum in cubiculum parentum eius...

'Within 3 months, by the will of the Deity, Bassus died. Bishop Xystus saw to the wrapping of his body with linens and spices with his own hands and buried it at St Peter’s in his parents’ tomb-chamber...'


There follows the list of Xystus' foundations and offerings (see $E01295)


Qui etiam sepultus est via Tiburtina, in crypta, iuxta corpus beati Laurenti.

'He was buried on the via Tiburtina in a crypt close to the body of the blessed Laurence.'


Text: Duchesne 1886, 89/91 and 232/235. Translation: Davis 2010, 34 and 36, lightly modified.