The Ancients

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The First Popes

Jan 29, 2026

Guest

Rosamond McKitterick

Professor Rosamond McKitterick, a medievalist from Cambridge, explores the Liber Pontificalis and the tangled sources behind Rome's earliest bishops. Short, vivid stories cover Peter and Mark, traditions of martyrdom and burial, Sylvester’s role with Constantine, and Leo I’s theological and diplomatic reputation. The conversation highlights how records, liturgy and legend shape our picture of early papal history.

56:09

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INSIGHT

Silences Reveal A Fragmented Church

The Liber Pontificalis often omits contextual detail like persecutors or local disputes, leaving gaps historians must infer from archaeology and other texts.
Sparse details about martyrs and rivals hide a more fragmented and contested early Roman Christianity.

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ANECDOTE

Cornelius, Lucina, And Translating Peter

The life of Cornelius recounts translating St. Peter's body and the support of a matrona Lucina.
This example shows how patronage and elite women shaped early Christian burial and memory in Rome.

insights

INSIGHT

Historiography Mirrors Roman Models

Sixth-century papal historians used Roman serial-biography models and sometimes embroidered anecdotes to make stories compelling.
They aimed for a chronological core while enhancing narratives with memorable episodes.

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Purpose and Sources of the Liber Pontificalis

01:35 • 3min

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Why the Liber Frames Papal History

04:30 • 1min

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What the Liber Actually Records

05:44 • 5min

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Structure and Formula of Papal Lives

10:21 • 4min

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Limitations and Frustrations of the Text

Early Roman Christian Community

21:52 • 1min

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Assessing Fact Versus Embellishment

23:06 • 3min

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Liturgy: Constructed Chronology

26:07 • 2min

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Peter's Arrival and Sources

27:53 • 4min

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Peter, Mark and Gospel Origins

31:36 • 2min

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Peter's Succession and Clement's Letter

33:25 • 1min

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Simon Magus and Apostolic Conflicts

34:46 • 4min

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Peter's Martyrdom and Burial Traditions

Sylvester and Constantine's Transformation

42:56 • 6min

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Topographical Shift in Constantine's Rome

48:49 • 5min

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From Sylvester to Leo: Imperial Shifts

53:39 • 2min

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Leo I: Theology and Diplomacy

55:42 • 4min

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Later Lives and Material Traces

Eusebius' 'Life of Constantine' is a biographical work that offers a panegyrical account of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Written by Eusebius of Caesarea, a prominent early Christian historian, the book portrays Constantine as a divinely appointed ruler who brought an end to the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire and played a crucial role in the development of Christian doctrine. The biography emphasizes Constantine's piety, his military victories, and his efforts to promote unity and orthodoxy within the Church. While it serves as an important historical source, it is also viewed as a work of hagiography, presenting an idealized portrait of Constantine. The book provides insights into the political and religious landscape of the 4th century and the evolving relationship between the Roman Empire and Christianity.

#2778

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Book of Matthew

Matthew Famiglietti

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament, presenting a detailed account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes Jesus's role as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and portrays him as the King of the Jews. Matthew's Gospel is structured around five major discourses of Jesus, highlighting his teachings on various aspects of faith and life. It includes accounts of miracles, parables, and interactions with various individuals, providing a comprehensive picture of Jesus's ministry. The Gospel of Matthew is considered a foundational text for Christian theology, providing insights into the nature of God, the plan of salvation, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Its message of hope and redemption continues to inspire readers today.

#2372

• Mentioned in 19 episodes

Gospel of Mark

H.A Guy

The Gospel of Mark is the earliest of the four Gospels and provides a unique perspective on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes Jesus' role as both the powerful Messiah and the vulnerable suffering servant. The narrative highlights key themes such as the Kingdom of God, the messianic secret, and Jesus' mission to suffer and die for the redemption of others. The Gospel is set against the backdrop of Jewish apocalyptic expectations and the socio-political landscape of 1st-century Judea, serving as a theological treatise and a pastoral response to a community in crisis.

#41374

Liber Pontificalis

Unknown (Anonymous)

The Liber Pontificalis (Latin for 'pontifical book' or Book of the Popes) is a book of biographies of popes from Saint Peter until the 15th century. The original publication stopped with Pope Adrian II (867–872) or Pope Stephen V (885–891), but was later supplemented in different styles until Pope Eugene IV (1431–1447) and then Pope Pius II (1458–1464). The work presents a curious mixture of fact and legend that had come to be accepted as history by the Church in Rome.

#270

• Mentioned in 94 episodes

The Book of Acts

Acts of the Apostles

Luke the Evangelist

The Book of Acts is the fifth book of the New Testament and serves as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. It chronicles the history of the early Christian church, beginning with the ascension of Jesus Christ and ending with Paul's imprisonment in Rome. The book is divided into two main sections: the first focuses on the ministry of Peter in Jerusalem and Samaria (Acts 1–12), and the second follows Paul's missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire (Acts 13–28). It highlights the transition of the gospel message from a Jewish audience to the Gentiles, the empowerment of believers by the Holy Spirit, and the growth of the church despite persecutions. The book also explores the relationship between Christians and the Roman Empire, showing how Christians could obey both God and the civil authorities.

What do we know about the earliest Popes, and how did they shape the early Christian Church amidst persecution?

Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Rosamond McKitterick to journey back to Imperial Rome to uncover the fascinating tales of the earliest Popes, focusing on St. Peter and his possible connection to Mark's gospel, Sylvester I during Constantine's reign, and Pope Leo I who confronted Atilla the Hun.

Jesus of Nazareth

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The Apocryphal Gospels

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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

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