Collections Online | British Museum

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Pope Formosus

Also known as: Pope Formosus; primary name: Formosus
Details: individual; cleric/religious official; ruler; Italian; Male
Life dates: c.816-896
Other dates: 891-896 (ruled)
Biography: Pope, succeeded Stephen V or VI (q.v.); born Rome(?). He was posthumously tried by his political enemies who exhumed his corpse and propped it up in the court room. His election was declared invalid and the body mutilated and buried, later being thrown into the Tiber.

Museum number: 1860,0702.12 |
Authority: Ruler:Pope FormosusRuler:Guy of Spoleto, King of Italy and Emperor |
Production date: 891-894 |
Production place: Minted in:Rome (city)