Liutprand, also Liudprand, Liuprand, Lioutio, Liucius, Liuzo, and Lioutsios (c. 920 – 972),[1] was a historian, diplomat, and Bishop of Cremona born in northern Italy, whose works are an important source for the politics of the 10th century Byzantine court.

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.

In 949, Berengar II sent him on a goodwill mission as an apprentice diplomat[2] to the Byzantine court of Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with whom he became friendly.

Liutprand went partly to learn Greek[3] and may have provided material for chapter 26 of Constantine VII's De Administrando Imperio.

[2] Liutprand's account of this embassy in the Relatio de Legatione Constantinopolitana is perhaps the most graphic and lively piece of writing which has come down to us from the 10th century.

The Catholic Encyclopedia asserted "Liutprand's writings are a very important historical source for the tenth century; he is ever a strong partisan and is frequently unfair towards his adversaries.