# Ursicinus

> priest, elected pope in 366/367

**Wikidata**: [Q298769](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298769)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antipope_Ursicinus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ursicinus

## Summary
Ursicinus was a Catholic priest who served as an antipope in 366/367 during a period of papal schism in the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected to the papacy in opposition to Pope Damasus I, reflecting the intense political and religious conflicts of the time.

## Biography
- Born: Unknown
- Nationality: Roman
- Education: Unknown
- Known for: Antipope elected in 366/367
- Employer(s): Catholic Church
- Field(s): Religious leadership

## Contributions
Ursicinus's primary contribution was his contested election as antipope during the papal schism of 366/367. His election represented a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church, highlighting the political and religious divisions within the early Christian community in Rome. The schism between Ursicinus and Pope Damasus I led to violent conflicts and demonstrated the challenges of establishing papal authority in the late Roman Empire.

## FAQs
**Who was Ursicinus?**
Ursicinus was a Catholic priest who was elected as an antipope in 366/367, serving in opposition to Pope Damasus I during a period of papal schism.

**Why was there a papal schism in 366/367?**
The papal schism occurred due to competing claims to the papacy between Ursicinus and Damasus I, reflecting deep political and religious divisions within the Roman Catholic Church at the time.

**What was the outcome of the schism between Ursicinus and Damasus I?**
The schism resulted in violent conflicts and ultimately ended with Damasus I's victory and recognition as the legitimate pope, while Ursicinus was declared an antipope.

## Why They Matter
Ursicinus matters in the history of the Catholic Church as a key figure in one of the most significant papal schisms of the early Christian era. His contested election and the resulting conflict with Pope Damasus I highlighted the challenges of establishing centralized papal authority and the political nature of early papal elections. The schism demonstrated how religious leadership in Rome was deeply intertwined with secular power structures and local politics.

## Notable For
- Elected as antipope in 366/367
- Represented opposition to Pope Damasus I
- His election led to violent conflicts in Rome
- Became a symbol of papal schism in early Church history
- His case influenced later Church procedures for papal elections

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Little is known about Ursicinus's early life, including his date and place of birth. As a priest in Rome during the mid-4th century, he would have been part of the growing Christian community in the capital of the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church was still establishing its institutional structures and authority during this period.

### Election as Antipope
In 366, following the death of Pope Liberius, a disputed papal election occurred in Rome. Two factions within the Church elected different candidates: Ursicinus was chosen by one group, while Damasus I was elected by another. This split reflected deeper divisions within the Roman Christian community, with different groups supporting different candidates based on political alliances and theological positions.

### The Schism and Conflict
The election of two popes simultaneously led to violent confrontations in Rome. Armed supporters of both candidates clashed in the streets, resulting in numerous casualties. The conflict was not merely theological but also involved powerful Roman families and their political interests. Damasus I, who had strong support from the Roman aristocracy and the imperial government, ultimately prevailed in this struggle for power.

### Aftermath and Legacy
After the violent resolution of the schism, Damasus I was recognized as the legitimate pope, while Ursicinus was declared an antipope - a term used for those claiming the papacy in opposition to the recognized pontiff. The events surrounding Ursicinus's election led to reforms in the papal election process, including greater involvement of the Roman clergy and more structured procedures to prevent future schisms. His case became a cautionary example in Church history of how political divisions could threaten ecclesiastical unity.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. CERL Thesaurus
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. HMML Authority File