[462] Tertullian tells this apocryphal story in his Apology, chaps. 5 and 21. For a translation of letters alleged to have been written to Tiberius by Pilate, see Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, ed. Philip Schaff (New York, 1890-1897), vol. VIII, pp. 459-463.
[463] Valla’s argument in this paragraph is partly based on the defective text of the Donation which he used, cf. supra, [p. 85, note 2]. Zeumer’s text would be translated, “all the Roman people who are subject to the glory of our rule,” and Friedberg’s, “all the people subject to the glorious rule of Rome.”
[464] Virgil, Aeneid, vi, 852.
[465] The conjunction “seu” in classical Latin meant, as Valla insists, “or”; in the eighth century it was often used with the meaning “and.” The forger of the Donation used it in the latter sense. Valla did not see the significance of this usage for dating the forgery.
[466] Cf. supra, [p. 85, note 2].
[467] “firmos patronos,”—this use of “firmus” characterizes the style of Pope Paul I (757-767). See Scheffer-Boichorst, op. cit., p. 311.
[468] Rev. v, 12; with variations.
[469] Part of this criticism rests upon the peculiarities of the text of the Donation which Valla used.
[470] Cf. Coleman, Constantine the Great and Christianity, pp. 148-151, 161-164.
[471] Ps. lxxxi, 12.