Antipope Heraclius

Heraclius was a Roman who, in 310, opposed the election of Pope Eusebius, earning him the title of antipope. All that is known of Heraclius appears in an epitaph written by Pope Damasus I for Eusebius. It is believed that Heraclius headed a faction demanding immediate reconciliation for the lapsi[1] (those who had lapsed in their faith during persecution) in opposition to Eusebius' stance requiring strict penance, although it is possible that he and his faction were Novatianists and instead opposed readmittance to the church for lapsi. Heraclius was elected pope by his faction in opposition to Eusebius in 310.[2] Public disturbances caused by partisans of the two rivals reached such a state (characterized by Damasus I as sedition, discord, and even warfare) that Emperor Maxentius exiled both parties to Sicily[3] where Eusebius died, and where nothing more was heard of Heraclius.