Symmachean forgeries

The Symmachianischen fakes are a collection of spurious texts that were written around the year 500 in connection with a conflict between Pope Symmachus and the Antipope Laurentius.

Formation

In the year 498 there was a double election of the Roman bishop by competing aristocratic parties. The Ostrogothic king Theodoric then certain Symmachus the rightful incumbent. Around the year 500/501 however, there was again a conflict because the supporters of the Lawrence Symmachus various offenses, including a wrong calculation of the date of Easter, accused. In the period following four synods were held in the years 501 and 502, which finally confirmed Symmachus in all his rights. Another synod in 506 Lawrence leaned and finally withdrew from Rome.

Papers

In order to strengthen the position of Symmachus, authored his followers in the history of the dispute several based in the past writings. The result they are probably already beginning 501 in Rome. The writings include in detail

Prominent among these fakes is the synod of Pope Silvester, who is alleged to have taken place with nearly 300 named priests and with the participation of Emperor Constantine. As the last of their twenty decisions there is postulated under the heading Ut nullus dijudicet first intention sedem justitia:

" Nemo enim Judicabit first intention sedem: Quoniam omnes sedes a prima sede justitia desiderant temperari. Neque from Augusto, neque from omni clero, neque a Regibus, neque a populo judex judicabitur. "

" But no one is to the highest seat sent: since all want seats that befall them from the highest seat of justice. Neither the emperor nor by all the clergy, neither kings nor of the people he is to be judged. "

Effect

Without that first directly on the Symmachianischen fakes reference has been made - until the time of the reformed papacy in the 11th century were increasingly used the traditional scriptures for the understanding of the law - who claim the Nichtjudizierbarkeit of the Roman bishop went ( prima sedes a nemine iudicatur: The first chair will be judged by anyone ) and can be found even today in these words in the canonical church law (Canon 1404) in the following centuries in the Church's law.