Donation of Pepin
(The). When Pepin conquered Ataulf the ex-archate of Ravenna fell into his hands. Pepin gave both the ex-archate and the Republic of Rome to the Pope, and this munificent gift is the famous “Donation” on which rested the whole fabric of the temporal power of the Popes of Rome (A.D. 755).
Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy, dispossessed the Pope of his temporal dominions, and added the Papal States to the united kingdom of Italy (1870).
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894