Who Built Old St Peter’s? The Evidence of the Inscriptions and Mosaics

Alastair H B Logan

doi:10.1163/15700720-12341463

Abstract

Abstract Old St Peter’s in Rome, according to the sixth-century Liber Pontificalis, was founded by Constantine (306–337), a claim accepted by most scholars who appeal to a variety of evidence. This paper will challenge this, focusing on the inscriptional and mosaic evidence and developing the arguments of Glen Bowersock and Alastair Logan that it was not constructed by Constantine at all but by one of his sons, in all likelihood Constans (337–350). It will argue that he began it in the late 340s as a five-aisled cemeterial basilica which Constantius II (337–361) completed in the late 350s, adding the apse mosaic. The paper will argue for the fundamental significance of two anonymous inscriptions and claim that the key evidence cited has not properly included one of them and in fact reflects the growing influence of legends about Constantine and Silvester.

Highlights

The question of who built Old St Peter’s in Rome remains a contentious issue.[1]
Old St Peter’s in Rome, according to the sixth-century Liber Pontificalis, was founded by Constantine (306–337), a claim accepted by most scholars who appeal to a variety of evidence
These include as arguably most persuasive the inscription recorded in the Liber entry on a gold cross: Constantinus Augustus et Helena Augusta hanc domum regalem simili fulgore coruscans aula circumdat (“Constantine Augustus and Helena Augusta ... a hall glittering in similar splendour surrounds this royal house”).[13]

Summary

Introduction

The question of who built Old St Peter’s in Rome remains a contentious issue.[1]. The list of the buildings and endowments of emperor Constantine (306–337).

Results

Conclusion