Donation of Constantine: first fake news in history

The best way to guard a priceless legal document? Easy, hide it in an impregnable holy place. Just like popes did during the Middle Ages, when they chose the Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati to protect the “Donation of Constantine”.
Too bad the document was actually fake… 

Constantine and Christians

Among Roman emperors, Constantine was the first to grant Christians religious liberty. As the story goes, he did much more. It all started with a vision. 

It was 312 AD when Constantine faced Maxentius on Ponte Milvio. The evening before the battle, the emperor saw a cross in the sky with written: “In hoc signo vinces” (in this sign thou shalt conquer). So he put the cross on his insignia, gaining the victory over his enemies.

A strange coincidence, which pushed Constantine closer to Christianity. How could he ever thank God for the success on the battlefield? Apparently, He just wanted a decree.

The imperial decree

Four months later, Constantine signed the already mentioned edict for religious liberty. Still, it wasn’t enough to pay God back.

In 315 AD, the emperor published a second document: the “Donation of Constantine”. In it, he gave the Pope the authority over the city of Rome and all the Western part of the Empire: the Church stood officially above all the sovereigns. Moreover, he also offered to the Church several properties like Lateran Palace. Basically, Popes had both the “temporal power” and the “spiritual power”.

Through the years, pontiffs never missed the chance to allude to the document. Maybe, a bit too often since someone investigated on its legitimacy.

Truth revealed

In 1440, the humanist Lorenzo Valla contested officially the Donation of Constantine. He proved the document was originally made in VIII century by the Apostolic Chancery.

Since it had nothing to do with the emperor, the presumption of the Church over European sovereigns had no basis. 

This didn’t stop popes from reaffirming their supremacy, even without quoting the document. In fact, while in Europe the Reformation criticized the power of the Church, popes commissioned works to show their truth. For example, the frescoes in Raphael’s Room in 1520.