Liutprand of Cremona

Liutprand, also Liudprand, Liuprand, Lioutio, Liucius, Liuzo, and Lioutsios (c. 920 – 972), was a historian, diplomat, and the bishop of Cremona born in northern Italy, whose works are an important source for the politics of the 10th-century Byzantine court.

Early life and career

Liutprand was born into a prominent family from Pavia, of Lombard origins, around 920. In 931 he entered service as page to Hugh of Arles, who kept court at Pavia as King of Italy and who married the notorious and powerful Marozia of Rome. Liutprand was educated at the court and became a Deacon at the Cathedral of Pavia. After Hugh died in 947, leaving his son and co-ruler Lothair II on the throne as King of Italy, Liutprand became confidential secretary and eventually chancellor to the de facto ruler of Italy, Berengar II, marchese d'Ivrea, who would ascend to the throne following Lothair II's death.

Mission to Constantinople

In 949, Berengar II sent him on a goodwill mission as an apprentice diplomat to the Byzantine court of Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with whom he became friendly. Liutprand went partly to learn Greek and may have provided material for chapter 26 of Constantine VII's De Administrando Imperio. Liutprand knew a surprising amount of Greek and he was among the first Westerners to use Greek minuscule. Both Liutprand's father and his stepfather had been sent as ambassadors to Constantinople (927 and 942). (Knowledge of Prince Igor's 941 attack on Constantinople was told by his stepfather as Liutprand was not in the city at the time).