Pope Stephen II (b. 715)

Pope Stephen II, a figure whose pivotal pontificate profoundly reshaped the trajectory of the medieval Papacy, was born into an eminent Roman aristocratic family around 714 AD. Hailing from the influential Orsini lineage, a family destined to play a significant role in Roman and papal politics for centuries, his background provided him with a strong footing within the city's ecclesiastical and social hierarchy. His tenure as Bishop of Rome began on March 26, 752, and lasted until his death on April 26, 757. Though relatively brief, these five years were extraordinarily momentous, marking a definitive historical shift that would forever alter the Papacy's geopolitical alignment.

The End of an Era: From Byzantine to Frankish Patronage

Stephen II's pontificate is widely recognized as the historical delineation between the Byzantine Papacy and the nascent Frankish Papacy. For generations, the Popes had looked eastward to Constantinople for political protection, often finding themselves caught between the Byzantine Emperor's distant authority and the various Germanic tribes that vied for control of the Italian peninsula. However, by the mid-8th century, the Byzantine Empire, facing internal strife and external threats, was increasingly unable to project power effectively in Italy. This left the Papacy vulnerable and compelled it to seek a new, more reliable protector closer to home.

The Looming Threat of the Lombards

The most pressing danger during Stephen's time was the relentless expansion of the Lombards. This Germanic people, who had established a kingdom in Italy in the late 6th century, continually threatened Rome and the remaining Byzantine territories, most notably the Exarchate of Ravenna. By 751, the Lombard King Aistulf had captured Ravenna, signaling the effective end of Byzantine rule in central Italy and dramatically escalating the threat to Rome itself. Aistulf aggressively besieged Rome, demanding tribute and asserting dominion over the Eternal City, leaving the Pope and its inhabitants in a desperate predicament with little hope of succor from the beleaguered Byzantine Empire.

A Historic Journey: The Papal Appeal to the Franks

In a move that would set a momentous precedent for papal diplomacy, Pope Stephen II made the unprecedented decision to travel north of the Alps in 753. This was not merely a diplomatic visit; it was a desperate plea for survival addressed to Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, a powerful Germanic kingdom rapidly rising in influence. The Pope’s journey itself was a perilous undertaking, underscoring the severity of the crisis facing Rome.

The Alliance Forged: Pope and King

Pepin himself owed a significant debt to the Papacy. Just a few years earlier, Pope Zachary (Stephen II's predecessor) had sanctioned Pepin's usurpation of the Merovingian throne, thereby legitimizing his rule and having him anointed King of the Franks in a ceremony performed by Saint Boniface. Stephen II reinforced this crucial bond by personally anointing Pepin and his sons, Charles (later known as Charlemagne) and Carloman, at Ponthion, thereby cementing a sacred alliance. This act not only confirmed Pepin's dynasty but also consecrated the Franks as the new protectors of the Roman Church.

The Birth of the Papal States: Donation of Pepin

In return for this papal recognition and blessing, Pepin pledged military support against the Lombards. He subsequently led two successful expeditions into Italy in 754 and 756, decisively defeating Aistulf and reclaiming territories previously seized by the Lombards, including the Exarchate of Ravenna and the Pentapolis (a region of five cities along the Adriatic coast). Crucially, Pepin did not return these lands to the Byzantine Emperor, but instead, through the document known as the Donation of Pepin, he granted them directly to the Pope.

These territories, which encompassed a significant swathe of central Italy, formed the nucleus of what would become the Papal States. This act laid the foundation for the temporal power of the Papacy, transforming the Pope from primarily a spiritual leader into a sovereign ruler with significant territorial holdings. This newfound political independence and temporal authority would endure for over a thousand years, profoundly shaping European politics until Italian unification in 1870.

Legacy of Pope Stephen II

Pope Stephen II's bold leadership and strategic alliance with the Franks fundamentally altered the course of European history. He not only saved Rome from immediate Lombard conquest but also established the framework for the future relationship between the Papacy and Western European monarchies. His actions effectively shifted the geopolitical alignment of the Holy See from East (Byzantium) to West (Franks), ushering in an era where the Pope wielded both spiritual and considerable temporal authority, an enduring legacy that defined the medieval Church and its role in Christendom.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the "Byzantine Papacy"?
The "Byzantine Papacy" refers to the period from the 6th to the mid-8th century when the Popes in Rome were significantly influenced by the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperors, often requiring imperial approval for their election and seeking protection from Constantinople, though this protection waned over time.
Who were the Lombards and why were they a threat?
The Lombards were a Germanic people who invaded Italy in 568 AD and established a powerful kingdom there. By the 8th century, their expansionist policies posed a direct and aggressive threat to Rome and the territories held by the Papacy and the diminishing Byzantine presence, seeking to control the entire Italian peninsula.
Why did Pope Stephen II seek assistance from Pepin the Short?
With the Byzantine Empire unable to provide effective protection against the encroaching Lombards, Pope Stephen II sought help from Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, as he was the most powerful ruler in Western Europe and had a pre-existing relationship with the Papacy, having been legitimized by Pope Zachary.
What was the "Donation of Pepin"?
The "Donation of Pepin" refers to the land grants made by Pepin the Short to Pope Stephen II after Pepin defeated the Lombards in 754 and 756. Instead of returning the conquered territories (like the Exarchate of Ravenna) to the Byzantine Empire, Pepin formally granted them to the Pope, forming the basis of the Papal States.
What were the Papal States?
The Papal States were territories in central Italy governed directly by the Pope as a secular ruler, alongside his spiritual authority. Their establishment began with the Donation of Pepin and they existed as an independent entity for over a thousand years, until 1870.
How did Stephen II's pontificate change the Papacy's role?
Pope Stephen II's actions transformed the Papacy's role from primarily a spiritual leader under distant imperial suzerainty to an independent temporal sovereign with significant landholdings. This shift initiated the Frankish Papacy, establishing a powerful alliance with Western European monarchs and laying the groundwork for the Pope's dual spiritual and political authority for centuries to come.