From The Lives of the Popes from the Time of our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII. Written Originally in Latin by B. Platina, Native of Cremona, and translated into English (from an anonymous translation, first printed in 1685 by Sir Paul Rycaut), Edited by William Benham, Volume I, London: Griffith, Farran, Okeden & Welsh, [1888, undated in text]; pp. 125-126.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
AGAPETUS I.
A.D. 535-536.
AGAPETUS, a Roman, son of Gordianus, a presbyter of the church of St John and St Paul, being created bishop by Theodatus, was by him forthwith sent to the Emperor Justinian, who was highly incensed against that king for his having first banished Amalasuntha, the mother of Athalaric, into the island of the Lake of Bolsena, and afterwards caused her to be put to death there. For she was a woman so well acquainted with Greek and Latin learning, that she durst engage in disputation with any professional scholar. Moreover, she was so thoroughly skilled in the languages of all the barbarous invaders of the Roman empire, that she could discourse with any of them without an interpreter. Her death Justinian so highly resented, that he threatened to make war upon Theodatus for that reason. Hereupon Agapetus was sent to him, who being received with great honour and affection, and having obtained the peace he was sent to sue for, he was then practised with to confirm the Eutychian opinions. But Justinian finding that the good man utterly detested any such proposal, from desiring and requesting he fell to threats and menaces. Upon which Agapetus told him, that he should have been glad to be sent to Justinian, a Christian prince, but that he found a Diocletian, an enemy and persecutor of Christians. By this boldness of speech, and God’s appointment, Justinian was so wrought upon that he embraced the Catholic faith, and having deposed Anthemius, Bishop of Constantinople, who patronised the Eutychian heresy, put into this place Menas, one of the orthodox, who was consecrated by Agapetus himself, 126 But not long after Agapetus died at Constantinople, and his body being wrapped up in lead was conveyed to Rome, and buried in St Peter’s Church. He sat in the chair eleven months, twenty-one days; and by his death the see was vacant one month, twenty-nine days.
Previous Pope: 58. John II. 59. Agapetus I. Next Pope: 60. Sylverius.