Pope Joannes (John) VIII or Pope Joan

Pope Joannes (John) VIII the first pope to be assassinated, rather than martyred. This engraving can also be taken as a representation of Pope Joan who, as legend would have it, reigned as pope under the name of John earlier in the 9th century. If she had existed, she would have been designated the title Pope John VIII. The artist has slightly effeminised the eyes to show this

Assassinated Joannes Martyred

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