(Latin: laurel-crowned)
Antipope, 498-505. An archpresbyter, he was elected by a faction of the Roman clergy in opposition to Pope Symmachus, after the death of Anastasius II. His supporters were in sympathy with the Byzantine party who hoped that he would approve the Henotikoli of Emperor Zeno. Both claimants appealed to Theodoric, King of the Goths who decided in favor of Symmachus. Laurentius submitted and was made Bishop of Nocera. He was excommunicated, 501, when he again put forth a claim to the See. Symmachus appealed to Theodoric once more. The latter banished the antipope and restored the churches he had unlawfully seized.