The Location of Constantine's Gold Cross

Abstract

The liber Pontificalis gives us a detailed but not always clear account of the work done under the direction of the Emperor Constantine and Pope Sylvester at the tomb of Saint Peter. From hints and brief descriptions which we may interpret in the light of similar Roman memorials that are known to us we may infer that the mausoleum that contained the venerable remains of Saint Peter consisted of two floors. According to usual practice the lower one, where the body rested, was below ground, the upper one was probably at ground level. When planning the magnificent basilica of the Vatican the Emperor left this tomb undisturbed, though considerable difficulties were encountered by the architects on this account. The ground here was sloping irregularly from the west and north to the east and southeast; water was seeping through the ground from the higher levels to the river beyond the lower parts; the soil was a clay of uncertain consistency. Still Roman tradition had so great a respect for a corpse once deposited that no thought was entertained of removing the venerated relics to a more favorable location. This grave was taken as the center of the choir or sanctuary. Behind it, to the west, rose the semicircular apse with its splendid mosaic. Above was the roof of the transept. To the east ran the majestic rows of pillars that divided the space into five naves. Special care was devoted to the mortuary chamber itself and to its immediate surroundings. Here our chief source is very detailed but also lacks clearness to a degree. Hence arise difficulties of interpretation and consequent discussions. The Liber Pontificalis, according to the opinion of its recent editors, was compiled in the middle or toward the end of the sixth century. However, much of the material used was taken from official records and hence we have to deal at least in substance with contemporary accounts. Thus, through the barbarous latinity of the post-ostrogothic times we must seek to arrive at the mind of late classical official scribes. The original sources are no longer available except as they are embedded in the uncouth mass which we know as the Liber Pontificalis. The passage which interests us at present is the following: Augustus Constantinus fecit ex rogatu Silvestri episcopi basilicam beato Petro apostolo . . . cuius loculum undique ex aera cypro ita recondit: ipsum loculum undique ex aere cypro conclusit, quod est immobile; ad caput, pedes V; ad pedes, pedes V, ad latus dextrum,