The Donation of Constantine was a document that emerged in the 8th century supposedly written by Constantine the Great to his beloved friend, Pope Sylvester.

Constantine was writing this document to show his appreciation toward Sylvester who saved his life by curing the emperor of leprosy and introducing him to the Christian faith.

Constantine granted power to the Pope over “all the world’s churches” and over the specific jurisdictions of Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Constantinople.

Additionally, he gave the Pope the imperial palace of the west in Rome and granted him the privileges to wear any garments resembling that of a king, including a cloak and crown.

What is the significance of the Donation of Constantine in

influencing the power assumed by the Pope and the Catholic

Church from the 8th century to the 15th century?

Did the Popes who cited the document know that it was forged? Did it matter to them or did they want to protect the Church?

When the document was proven a forgery, what effect did it have on the power of the Pope? Why did the Church continue to use their assumed power? What affects did the document have on history almost a thousand years later?

The Donation of Constantine has remained some what of a mystery since its exposure in the 15th century. It is still debatable who forged the documents and for what reasons. Most historians agree that the document was created to aid the Church in their acquisition of valuable things, whether it be power or money or both.

GOALS:

• To establish the relationship between the creation of the Donation of Constantine and the increase in Papal power

• To examine the level of power of the papacy before the document was exposed and after