In the eighth century, however, it became the seat of Tuto, a Lombard dux, known for his interference in the papal election of 768.
A feudal possession, first of the prefects of Vico, and then of the Orsinis, of the Colonnas, and of Cesare Borgia, from 1537 to 1545, it was erected into a duchy in favour of Pier Luigi Farnese; and when the latter was transferred to Parma, Nepi returned to immediate dependence on the Holy See.
This town has an ancient Christian cemetery where the body of Romanus of Caesarea was found, who is the patron of the city; the cathedral possesses a statue of him by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The diocese was united to Nepi under Bishop Luke de Tartarts (1345); under Pomponius Cesi (1519), who became a cardinal, the cemetery of St. Savinilla was discovered; Michael Ghislieri (1556) became Pope Pius V; Joseph Chianti (1701) founded the seminary; Camillus Simeoni (1782) was exiled by the French and became a cardinal.
[4] Erected: 1st Century Latin Name: Nepesinus United: 12 December 1435 with Diocese of Sutri Immediately Subject to the Holy See This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed.