Page "Pope Silverius" Paragraph 4

The account in the Liber Pontificalis is hardly more favorable to Vigilius.

That work agrees with Liberatus that the restoration of Anthimus to the Patriarchate was the cause of Silverius ' deposition, but Vigilius was initially sent to persuade Silverius to agree to this, not replace him.

Silverius refused to this and Vigilius then claimed to Belisarius that Pope Silverius had written to Witiges offering to betray the city.

Belisarius did not believe this accusation, but Vigilius produced false witnesses to testify to this, and through persistence overcame his scruples.

Silverius was summoned to the Pincian palace, where he was stripped of his vestments and handed over to Vigilius, who dispatched him into exile.

Procopius omits all mention of religious controversy in Vigilius ' actions.

He writes that Silverius was accused of offering to betray Rome to the Goths.

Upon learning of this, Belisarius had him deposed, put in a monk's habit and exiled to Greece.

Several other senators were also banished from Rome at the same time on similar charges.

Belisarius then appointed Vigilius.