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A History of the Popes: Volume I: Origins to the Middle Ages
The office of bishop of Rome, is one of the most powerful positions in the world. As an ancient institution stretching back for centuries, the papacy has a history that is marked by archaic and modern customs alike. The history of the men who have held this position is fraught with villainous and heroic actions that have left a profound impact on the development of civilization as we know it, both in the West and East. The popes led the early Church through persecution, acquired temporal power through the actions of Constantine, oversaw the universal Church in the early middle ages, were steeped in various scandals in the late middle ages, saw their secular power stripped in the modern period, and were instrumental in the rise and fall of various kingdoms and nations.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 26, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to and learning from this book about the first 900 years of the papacy
The first nine hundred years of the papacy had some great heroes, including the likes of St. Peter, St. Clement of Rome, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Leo the Great. It had some great villains as well.
I am now on to reading about the popes chronicled in Volume II: Middle Ages to the Protestant Reformation.
4 stars
The first nine hundred years of the papacy had some great heroes, including the likes of St. Peter, St. Clement of Rome, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Leo the Great. It had some great villains as well.
I am now on to reading about the popes chronicled in Volume II: Middle Ages to the Protestant Reformation.
4 stars
April 28, 2018
A book that is a starter book on the history of the Leaders of the Catholic Church. Since there are so many and most of the ones in this volume have little historical data available the write-ups are brief, sometimes nothing more than a paragraph. Still, it is a good start to laying a foundation and can be used to show some background or as a basis for further study.
October 21, 2015
This is an excellent book for anyone wanting clear and concise biographies of the men who have sat in the Seat of St Peter. In this first volume, the prolific Wyatt North starts at the beginning and carries through to the Middle Ages. As might be expected, the book starts with some facts in the case of St Peter, but must also include myth, legend and tradition. With later popes, as church record keeping became more standardized (and bureaucratic), most of the mythic trappings fall away and we are given more verifiable information. Even so, some of the early popes get only a few lines because not much is known about them other than some basic biographical data, some mentions in ecclesiastic and imperial records, and their actions (or non-actions) to various church crises or heresies. As we leave the shadow of Rome behind and pass through the Ostrogoth, Byzantine and other flickers of history, we are treated to more detailed chronicles of the individual popes. North presents an unbiased report for each pope, detailing faith and strength where there was faith and strength, villainy and weakness when there was villainy and weakness. He shows us the saints and sinners, men of faith and men of folly. At the end of the book, North closes with an overview of the period of time covered and a comparison between the Church and the empires under which it existed, a study of the enduring vs the transient. Although this book will be of great interest to a Catholic seeking a quick reference to the popes, it’s also a book recommended for anyone interested in history and the Early Church.
February 9, 2020
An excellent over sight to the first 900 years of the Pope’s. It amazes me how much discourse man can have when it comes to religion and its interpretations of the gospels.
Four stars
Four stars
December 24, 2016
This is a short book, 124 page including references, of brief biographical sketches of popes from the time of Peter to the Middle Ages. It is broken out into several different readable periods. Along the way, the author defines the various doctrines that have been debated and either incorporated into the doctrine of the church or were deemed heresies, gives an overview of the temporal, social and political, world, sets the Anglo-Saxon world (England) into timeline/fold of Catholicism well before Henry VIII broke with the church, describes the leaders of various nations and their effect on the papacy, and shows how the region that includes the Vatican was created, expanded and narrowed over time and why.
A reader not versed in the history of larger world in the covered times, or to a lesser extent, words and phrases used in Catholicism would be advised to have some electronic source handy as knowing a bit about the history allowed me to put the actions of the various popes in context with what was happening in the world at the time.
Papal history, like a lot of other histories, is filled with intrigue and murder, of ordinary men, monastical figures, clergy, and from time to time criminals and the backslidden. Wyatt North is to be commended for not glossing over this negative history. The History of the Popes is a good beginning to an in-depth study of Catholicism and its history.
A reader not versed in the history of larger world in the covered times, or to a lesser extent, words and phrases used in Catholicism would be advised to have some electronic source handy as knowing a bit about the history allowed me to put the actions of the various popes in context with what was happening in the world at the time.
Papal history, like a lot of other histories, is filled with intrigue and murder, of ordinary men, monastical figures, clergy, and from time to time criminals and the backslidden. Wyatt North is to be commended for not glossing over this negative history. The History of the Popes is a good beginning to an in-depth study of Catholicism and its history.
June 22, 2018
A Bird's Eye View of Catholic History
At the outset of A History of the Popes Volume I, the author clearly states the purpose of the series. His intent is to highlight those who served as Popes for the first 900 years and summarize their impact on the Catholic Church. This he accomplished without a doubt. Though the clipped overview of a long series of Popes can be dry at times, it uncovers a lot of material many may not be familiar with. It is also quite interesting to learn at which point in history certain customs, traditions, and practices took effect.
North shares the good with the bad in order to paint an accurate picture of the office of the Pope. From political influences to relationships to key decisions and beliefs, the reader is granted a look into what formed the institution we see today. Content is divided logically into sections and chapters, and eras transition with a summary of what is to come.
At the outset of A History of the Popes Volume I, the author clearly states the purpose of the series. His intent is to highlight those who served as Popes for the first 900 years and summarize their impact on the Catholic Church. This he accomplished without a doubt. Though the clipped overview of a long series of Popes can be dry at times, it uncovers a lot of material many may not be familiar with. It is also quite interesting to learn at which point in history certain customs, traditions, and practices took effect.
North shares the good with the bad in order to paint an accurate picture of the office of the Pope. From political influences to relationships to key decisions and beliefs, the reader is granted a look into what formed the institution we see today. Content is divided logically into sections and chapters, and eras transition with a summary of what is to come.
January 28, 2016
Wow. This book covers roughly 900 years of the papacy and with only so much time and space, it is a VERY rough overview of the history in question. What I am left with is a sense of not only the manner in which political and religious controversies have effected the Church, but also an amazement that things have lasted for now almost two thousand years. This first of three volumes illustrates a whole lot of good, bad and ugliness. Popes are people, too, and it would seem that most are subject to the same weaknesses and shortcomings that the rest of us are. This is not the book to read if you are looking for a detailed history of any particular pope or of the historical times. If you want a bird's eye view of the subject matter, this is a good and surprisingly quick read.
February 12, 2021
This first (of three) volume(s) starts with Peter and moves over 900 years to the pontificate of Leo V. The author starts by explaining that the papacy did not operate in any way near the way it does now. Some of the early popes' biographical info is sketchy because of the lack of records. I liked that the author ties the biographical info to the records that are available. It is interesting to see that the popes weren't necessarily Italian aristocrats. The early popes had a variety of backgrounds; there was a former slave, a hermit, as well as popes from Africa (St. Victor I, to name one), Germany, and a couple of Syrians.
Because Christianity was spreading so far and wide, there came to be different interpretations of God's word. By the time of St. Pius I (died 155 CE), he was more assertive in religious disputes. Differing social customs between the East Church and West Church started to arise. It is amazing that by 217 CE, there was already an antipope (someone who attempts to take the place of the lawful pope). Antipopes were amazingly frequent in the early days.
As early as 514 CE, St. Hormisdas became pope. He had been married before ordination and his son, Silverius, would later become a pope (Silverius was also one of the few popes to resign {accused of conspiring with the Goths}). Another common occurrence was a Synod or a Council, called to hammer out some religious controversy or to determine a policy that the church would follow. One example is the Council of Chalcedon, which declared that Christ has two natures: human and divine.
Throughout this volume, it is staggering to see how many heretical policies have to be squashed by the Catholic Church. In 533 CE, began the policy of changing the pontiff's name at the time of his election. This is because John II was elected and his name was Mercury, the name of a pagan god. In 768 CE, a synod decided that only deacons and cardinal-priests could become pope (there had been lay people elected to the pope prior to this time). In 882, Pope John VIII was the first pope to be assassinated. Two popes later, St. Adrian III was also assassinated.
I'd recently experienced 36 lectures on the papacy (2000 Years of Papal History: The History of the Popes, the Papacy, and the Catholic Church -- Dr.John O’Malley {Great Courses Series}) but I found much to enjoy and learn from this book. It was surprising to learn how many men elected to pope did not want the position.
Because Christianity was spreading so far and wide, there came to be different interpretations of God's word. By the time of St. Pius I (died 155 CE), he was more assertive in religious disputes. Differing social customs between the East Church and West Church started to arise. It is amazing that by 217 CE, there was already an antipope (someone who attempts to take the place of the lawful pope). Antipopes were amazingly frequent in the early days.
As early as 514 CE, St. Hormisdas became pope. He had been married before ordination and his son, Silverius, would later become a pope (Silverius was also one of the few popes to resign {accused of conspiring with the Goths}). Another common occurrence was a Synod or a Council, called to hammer out some religious controversy or to determine a policy that the church would follow. One example is the Council of Chalcedon, which declared that Christ has two natures: human and divine.
Throughout this volume, it is staggering to see how many heretical policies have to be squashed by the Catholic Church. In 533 CE, began the policy of changing the pontiff's name at the time of his election. This is because John II was elected and his name was Mercury, the name of a pagan god. In 768 CE, a synod decided that only deacons and cardinal-priests could become pope (there had been lay people elected to the pope prior to this time). In 882, Pope John VIII was the first pope to be assassinated. Two popes later, St. Adrian III was also assassinated.
I'd recently experienced 36 lectures on the papacy (2000 Years of Papal History: The History of the Popes, the Papacy, and the Catholic Church -- Dr.John O’Malley {Great Courses Series}) but I found much to enjoy and learn from this book. It was surprising to learn how many men elected to pope did not want the position.
March 9, 2019
I was hoping for more, but then for an approximately 100 page book it covers 1000 years of history fairly well. It reads a lot more like encyclopedia entries for each pope rather than telling a narrative story. Because it is short this is ok, though I did not find the reading to be all that enjoyable. This is compounded a bit by a couple of issues that just throw me off a bit. The first being that there is very little to say about many of the early popes other than when they were popes and their saint days. The second was that I am used to historical books on religion to use a more academic/historical tone. That is, they explain that orthodoxy/heresy implies too much, as they include value judgments on the dogma/theory. This book speaks of heresies from a Catholic perspective, which it does not really hide, but I wish was made more explicit in the introduction.
Other than that, all I really recommend the volume for is its shortness. I was hoping for more memorable stories about the popes, but there are very few of these. If you want a very, very broad overview of the first 1000 years of popes this may be useful, but otherwise I was mostly disappointed by it not being a more complete history.
Other than that, all I really recommend the volume for is its shortness. I was hoping for more memorable stories about the popes, but there are very few of these. If you want a very, very broad overview of the first 1000 years of popes this may be useful, but otherwise I was mostly disappointed by it not being a more complete history.
May 20, 2017
So disappointing!
I was really looking forward to an interesting historical and biographical read, lightly laced throughout with spirituality, perhaps--no such luck! It is not so much an encyclopedia as dictionary; it is certainly not a history. Each pope is give a few formulaic paragraphs and that's it. There is no context to help the reader place a particular pope in Church history or contemporary world events.
A History of the Popes is dry to the point of being soporific. I couldn't bring myself to finish even the first of the four volumes. It felt like reading someone else's lecture notes.
I listened to the audio book read by the author. The narration, almost a monotone, was dull and unpleasant.
This book might be a worthwhile addition to the bookshelves of a teacher or journalist. It would probably be a decent ready reference. But if you are interested in the history of the Church or of the papacy, you will be disappointed.
I was really looking forward to an interesting historical and biographical read, lightly laced throughout with spirituality, perhaps--no such luck! It is not so much an encyclopedia as dictionary; it is certainly not a history. Each pope is give a few formulaic paragraphs and that's it. There is no context to help the reader place a particular pope in Church history or contemporary world events.
A History of the Popes is dry to the point of being soporific. I couldn't bring myself to finish even the first of the four volumes. It felt like reading someone else's lecture notes.
I listened to the audio book read by the author. The narration, almost a monotone, was dull and unpleasant.
This book might be a worthwhile addition to the bookshelves of a teacher or journalist. It would probably be a decent ready reference. But if you are interested in the history of the Church or of the papacy, you will be disappointed.
May 1, 2023
Overall, Volume I, is a nice little book, giving details of the lives of each of the popes of the first 900 years of the Church.
It’s necessary to be somewhat brief, when you’re writing a series of treatises of 266 popes, however in many cases the paragraphs are simply too brief to give an adequate picture. Further, the brevity makes the narrative, at times, difficult to follow. There are numerous typos, which may only be in the kindle version.
Nonetheless, this series is good for a very brief overview of all the popes of the Church over the last 2 millennia.
3.5, but rounded down in this case, due to excessively short paragraphs which are difficult to follow. If the narrative is confusing the paragraph should be expanded and clarified.
It’s necessary to be somewhat brief, when you’re writing a series of treatises of 266 popes, however in many cases the paragraphs are simply too brief to give an adequate picture. Further, the brevity makes the narrative, at times, difficult to follow. There are numerous typos, which may only be in the kindle version.
Nonetheless, this series is good for a very brief overview of all the popes of the Church over the last 2 millennia.
3.5, but rounded down in this case, due to excessively short paragraphs which are difficult to follow. If the narrative is confusing the paragraph should be expanded and clarified.
July 19, 2017
A very interesting information on the early history of the Popes.
The author has provide a very interesting and informative description of the men who were appointed or elected to Pope. He has been very honest in providing each of these men's faults and strengths. Worthwhile information on the early history of the church heads.
The author has provide a very interesting and informative description of the men who were appointed or elected to Pope. He has been very honest in providing each of these men's faults and strengths. Worthwhile information on the early history of the church heads.
September 11, 2018
Very interesting. Some I knew but most I didn’t. Good basic read for someone looking for quick answers. It answered a lot of my questions. Definitely gave me a lot to think about. I will be reading more about Constantinople, ALEXANDRIA, as well as elsewhere. That way I will get a more complete view
October 10, 2019
This is a skim book, if you want nothing more than when a pope was seated and when they died or removed then this is the book for you. Very little actual substance is offered. With that being said, it is an interesting introduction as a jumping-off point if you are looking for a specific progression during the life of the Popes.
May 30, 2025
Not quite finished with this first volume. Probably won’t go on to read volume ms 2 and 3. I really wanted more from this book. Sadly, in my opinion, while the book did prompt me to do more research, I was able to get more information from Wikipedia on the individual popes than this small book
July 19, 2017
Awful, written like a high school history paper. Don't waste your money.
December 20, 2017
Basic overview of the first 900 years of the papacy. Names and dates and major events. Not as much detail as I would've liked.
December 27, 2017
This is a pretty basic read as it covers each Pope, and is probably best for giving enough of a preview to get the reader to examine them in more detail in other books.
January 27, 2018
A very brief, formulaic history of the popes. I suppose there may not be much in the way of original source material, but still...
April 28, 2018
Dry list of brief summaries
Just lists the succession of popes as a series of one or two paragraphs. Very little context or analysis of the changing nature of the papacy.
Just lists the succession of popes as a series of one or two paragraphs. Very little context or analysis of the changing nature of the papacy.
December 31, 2018
Good general book about the popes
January 17, 2019
Popes
Not to interesting. Does not give much detail. Kind of hard to continue reading. In other words it is boring.
Not to interesting. Does not give much detail. Kind of hard to continue reading. In other words it is boring.
April 18, 2020
Great Read
Although, often very hard to read about the various Popes, I found this book to be very enlightening and honest.
Although, often very hard to read about the various Popes, I found this book to be very enlightening and honest.
September 10, 2020
Given this history...
The Church survives because God is in charge and will not permit His Church to fail. Thank you God for all you do for us.
The Church survives because God is in charge and will not permit His Church to fail. Thank you God for all you do for us.
January 14, 2022
A good, quick history on the popes. The book spans about 900 years of papal history.
June 9, 2020
A good introduction to the early papacy that’s worth an afternoon’s read. Probably not as informative as what I was looking for but, it’s a start.
February 22, 2019
I have stopped reading the series A History of the Popes until such as I complete the studies I am presently engaged.
1) Master New Testament Greek
2) Transformative Quiet Times
both studies are under guidance Professor Darryl Burling.
I am going into another spell of not coming regularly to this site and updating my progress. I have some books listed which I have not begun to read. At one time I was adding every book I purchased but stopped be my shelf in my library was out-pacing me in my reading. Breggeuman is one of my favorite authors along with A. McGrath, a few others so I purchase all they put on the market regardless of the fact most of the books are a part my Logos, Accordance, Wordsearch, Verbum, e-sword Bible software programs. I really prefer reading hardcopy over digital books. Digital tire my eyes quickly.
1) Master New Testament Greek
2) Transformative Quiet Times
both studies are under guidance Professor Darryl Burling.
I am going into another spell of not coming regularly to this site and updating my progress. I have some books listed which I have not begun to read. At one time I was adding every book I purchased but stopped be my shelf in my library was out-pacing me in my reading. Breggeuman is one of my favorite authors along with A. McGrath, a few others so I purchase all they put on the market regardless of the fact most of the books are a part my Logos, Accordance, Wordsearch, Verbum, e-sword Bible software programs. I really prefer reading hardcopy over digital books. Digital tire my eyes quickly.
June 16, 2016
Interesting
I am working on a daily reading of popes which is an email blog so when this book came along i thought I would do a comparison of two different sources to see how accurate the email was. Actually they have been pretty close but I have enjoyed seeing these from a different angle. Probably not something someone would want to sit and simply read through but as a source I found that it was helpful and I will continue with the other two volumes.
I am working on a daily reading of popes which is an email blog so when this book came along i thought I would do a comparison of two different sources to see how accurate the email was. Actually they have been pretty close but I have enjoyed seeing these from a different angle. Probably not something someone would want to sit and simply read through but as a source I found that it was helpful and I will continue with the other two volumes.
March 21, 2016
Disclaimer: I have no idea how I found this book (maybe a free download?) and I also read it sick in bed with terrible food poisoning as a means to fall asleep.
I recommend this book for: frantic seminary students who have put off writing a history of the papacy paper until 2 am the day of the deadline, and are looking for a concise summary with broad thematic strokes about the relationship between the papacy and monarchical/state government powers from the time of Peter (Pope #1) to the 900s.
I recommend this book for: frantic seminary students who have put off writing a history of the papacy paper until 2 am the day of the deadline, and are looking for a concise summary with broad thematic strokes about the relationship between the papacy and monarchical/state government powers from the time of Peter (Pope #1) to the 900s.
April 12, 2016
If you are interested in learning more about how the Popes came to be and who all the Popes have been since the first Pope this is the book for you. It is very detailed with lots of information that you may not have known. Wrote very much like a text book and at times kind of dry to read through. But I am sure that there are people more interested in the Popes than I am and will enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews