Catacombs of Ancient Rome

• The Catacombs are underground tunnels in Rome that were filled with the tombs of the dead. They were the first Christian Cemeteries to be built in Rome.
• There are 40 Catacombs underneath Ancient Rome, which were built outside the city along the five main roads.

Description

• The catacombs were begun in the second century CE. Their use declined after 380 CE, and eventually they were forgotten. They were rediscovered in 1578 and have been excavated ever since. They were tunneled through the volcanic tufa rock under Rome.
• Rome has 40 known Catacombs. Many are several kilometres long and have up to four levels. They lie between 22-65 ft (7-19m) below ground.
• The Bodies were laid in Stone Sarcophagi, dressed in clothes and wrapped in linen, then placed in niches in the Galleries. The niche was then sealed up by a slab on which was inscribed the person’s name, age and date of death.

Location

• They are located along the Via Appia, Via Nomentana, Via Tiburtina, Via Labicana and the Via Ostiense:

• • Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter
  • Catacombs of Domitilla
  • Catacombs of Commodilla
  • Catacombs of Generosa
  • Catacombs of Praetextatus
  • Catacombs of Priscilla

• • Catacombs of San Callisto (also known as St. Callixtus)
  • Catacombs of San Lorenzo
  • Catacombs of San Pancrazio
  • Catacombs of San Sebastiano
  • Catacombs of San Valentino
  • Catacombs of Sant’Agnese
  • Catacombs of the Via Anapo

• • The Jewish Catacombs, of which there are six.

Early Christian Symbols used in the Catacombs

• Early Christian Symbols such as the Chi Rho and the Alpha and Omega are found in the Catacombs.

Catacombs of Domitilla