Cornelius, the son of Castinus, was born in Rome (see LP, vol. I, 150n22), was elected bishop of Rome in March/April of 251 CE, and died in June 253 CE at Centumcellae (Civitavecchia), where he had been exiled (see Caspar, 1930; Bardy, 1956; Gordini, 1964; Leclercq, 1948; Simonetti, 2000a; Seppelt, 1962).

His predecessor, Fabian, had died a martyr's death (Martyrs) on Jan 20, 250 CE, at the beginning of the persecution of Decius, who wanted to restore paganism (see Frend, 1965, 389–439; Sordi, 1965, 261–281; 1984, 110–116; Pi…