Saint Peter (d. c. 64–68 AD) was one of the Twelve Apostles and a central figure in the formation of the early Church. Born at Bethsaida and originally a fisherman, he was called by Jesus alongside his brother Andrew and quickly emerged as the leading representative of the disciples. In the Gospels he frequently acts as spokesman for the apostolic group and is singled out by Christ as a foundational figure of the Church.

According to early Christian tradition, Peter travelled to Rome, where he became the city’s first bishop. He was martyred during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero, traditionally by crucifixion on Vatican Hill. Later tradition holds that he requested to be crucified upside down, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. Peter’s authority and martyrdom made him one of the most prominent saints of Christian devotion and a central figure in Christian art and iconography.