Philip

antipope
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Quick Facts
Flourished:
8th century, Italy
Flourished:
c.701 - c.800

Philip (flourished 8th century, Italy) was an antipope in July 768. Temporal rulers coveted the papal throne following the death of Pope St. Paul I, and Toto, duke of Nepi, had his brother Constantine II, a layman, elected pope. The Lombard king Desiderius then sent troops to Rome, killing Toto and deposing Constantine. Backed by some Romans, the Lombards, in 768, secretly set Philip up as pope. Philip had been a monk in the monastery of St. Vito. He was ejected, however, and Stephen III (IV) was elected pope on Aug. 1, 768, at which time Philip retired to his monastery.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.