This chapter establishes the political and cultural context for what follows through an examination of the reign of Pope Leo III (795–816) and his alliance with the Franks, notably Charlemagne, whom he crowned as Roman emperor on 25 December 800. A primary focus is the political and other messages implicit or explicit in the construction and decoration of new reception spaces at the Lateran patriarchate and Saint Peter’s, aimed at reinforcing the new role of the papacy in temporal as well as spiritual matters, and the mosaic decorations for which Leo was responsible in the churches of Santa Susanna and Santi Nereo ed Achilleo. An analysis is provided of the exceptionally detailed list of papal gifts to Roman churches, known as the ‘Donation of 807’, and the chapter concludes with an analysis of the possible sources of papal wealth necessary to make such extravagant largesse possible.

This chapter provides a broader context for the achievement represented by Santa Prassede through an examination of what is known about Paschal’s numerous other building projects and patronage of material culture. Some of these survive (mosaics in the churches of Santa Maria in Domnica and Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, enamel and gilded silver reliquaries in the Sancta Sanctorum) and some are recorded in contemporary and subsequent antiquarian descriptions (funerary chapel in Saint Peter’s, restructuring of the presbytery at Santa Maria Maggiore). All can be related to papal concerns regarding relics, liturgy and the pope’s personal salvation.

The shock occasioned by the Arab sack of Saint Peter’s and San Paolo fuori le mura in August 846 serves as the backdrop for the unprecedented building activities of Pope Leo IV (847–855), best known for his construction of fortifications to enclose the entire area around Saint Peter’s in what subsequently came to be known as the ‘Leonine city’. This was the only extension ever made to Rome’s Aurelian walls of the late third century. Considerable resources were also expended on making good the losses of gold and silver liturgical vessels, silk textiles and other furnishings. New church projects included Santi Quattro Coronati and Santa Maria Nova. Also dating from his reign, and signalling a shift in patronage to become more evident in the years to follow, is a subsidiary chapel in the excavated lower church of San Clemente, which includes the pope’s portrait. Consideration is given to the rationale for the installation of this chapel, possibly with a relic from the site of Christ’s Ascension prominently displayed above its altar.

Detailed examination of two building projects associated with Pope John VII (705–7); his funerary chapel in Old Saint Peter’s and the redecoration of the church of Santa Maria Antiqua. Prime attention is given to the cultural background of the decorations and the media employed.

Examines the patronage of Pope Paul I (757–67) at three of his principal projects: the construction of San Silvestro in Capite (a monastery he founded in his family home), Santa Maria Antiqua (substantially redecorated), and Saint Peter’s (where he created new chapels). These offer new insights into the culture and concerns of a pope whose Liber pontificalis biography is among the shortest. Also examined is the phenomenon of translating the relics of saints from the extramural catacombs to churches within the city walls, a practice which Paul initiates on a significan scale.