ed and confirmed by his
authority. Except an original and self-inherent claim of sovereignty,
there was not any prerogative remaining, which the title of emperor
could add to the patrician of Rome. [61]

[Footnote 58: For the title and powers of patrician of Rome, see
Ducange, (Gloss. Latin. tom. v. p. 149-151,) Pagi, (Critica, A.D. 740,
No. 6-11,) Muratori, (Annali d'Italia, tom. vi. p. 308-329,) and St.
Marc, (Abrege Chronologique d'Italie, tom. i. p. 379-382.) Of these the
Franciscan Pagi is the most disposed to make the patrician a lieutenant
of the church, rather than of the empire.]

[Footnote 59: The papal advocates can soften the symbolic meaning of the
banner and the keys; but the style of ad regnum dimisimus, or direximus,
(Codex Carolin. epist. i. tom. iii. pars ii. p. 76,) seems to allow of
no palliation or escape. In the Ms. of the Vienna library, they read,
instead of regnum, rogum, prayer or request (see Ducange;) and the
royalty of Charles Martel is subverted by this important correction,
(Catalani, in his Critical Prefaces, Annali d'Italia, tom. xvii. p.
95-99.)]

[Footnote 60: In the authentic narrative of this reception, the Liber
Pontificalis observes--obviam illi ejus sanctitas dirigens venerabiles
cruces, id est signa; sicut mos est ad exarchum, aut patricium
suscipiendum, sum cum ingenti honore suscipi fecit, (tom. iii. pars i.
p. 185.)]

[Footnote 61: Paulus Diaconus, who wrote before the empire of
Charlemagne describes Rome as his subject city--vestrae civitates
(ad Pompeium Festum) suis addidit sceptris, (de Metensis Ecclesiae
Episcopis.) Some Carlovingian medals, struck at Rome, have engaged
Le Blanc to write an elaborate, though partial, dissertation on their
authority at Rome, both as patricians and emperors, (Amsterdam, 1692, in
4to.)]

The gratitude of the Carlovingians was adequate to these obligations,
and their names are consecrated, as the saviors and benefactors of the
Roman church. Her ancient patrimony of farms and houses was transformed
by their bounty into the temporal dominion of cities and provinces; and
the donation of the Exarchate was the first-fruits of the conquests of
Pepin. [62] Astolphus with a sigh relinquished his prey; the keys
and the hostages of the principal cities were delivered to the French
ambassador; and, in his master's name, he presented them before the tomb
of St. Peter. The ample measure of the Exarchate [63] might comprise all
the provinces of Ital