Chapter I: Preface: 5

The present work, it is hoped, will supply a want long felt in the literature of the Catacombs. That literature, it is true, is very voluminous; but it is for the most part locked up in rare and costly folios in foreign languages, and inaccessible to the general reader. Recent discoveries have refuted some of the theories and corrected many of the statements of previous books in English on this subject; and the present volume is the only one in which the latest results of exploration are fully given, and interpreted from a Protestant point of view.

The writer has endeavored to illustrate the subject by frequent pagan sepulchral inscriptions, and by citations from the writings of the Fathers, which often throw much light on the condition of early Christian society. The value of the work is greatly enhanced, it is thought, by the addition of many hundreds of early Christian inscriptions carefully translated, a very large proportion of which have never before appeared in English. Those only who have given some attention to epigraphical studies can conceive the difficulty of this part of the work. The defacements of time, and frequently the original imperfection of the inscriptions and the ignorance of their writers, demand the utmost carefulness to avoid errors of interpretation. The 6 writer has been fortunate in being assisted by the veteran scholarship of the Rev. Dr. McCaul, well known in both Europe and America as one of the highest living authorities in epigraphical science, under whose critical revision most of the translations have passed. Through the enterprise of the publishers this work is more copiously illustrated, from original and other sources, than any other work on the subject in the language; thus giving more correct and vivid impressions of the unfamiliar scenes and objects delineated than is possible by any mere verbal description. References are given, in the foot-notes, to the principal authorities quoted, but specific acknowledgment should here be made of the author’s indebtedness to the Cavaliere De Rossi’s _Roma Sotterranea_ and _Inscriptiones Christianæ_, by far the most important works on this fascinating but difficult subject.

Believing that the testimony of the Catacombs exhibits, more strikingly than any other evidence, the immense contrast between primitive Christianity and modern Romanism, the author thinks no apology necessary for the somewhat polemical character of portions of this book which illustrate that fact. He trusts that it will be found a contribution of some value to the historical defense of the truth against the corruptions and innovations of Popish error.

CONTENTS. 7

Book First.

THE STRUCTURE AND HISTORY OF THE CATACOMBS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CATACOMBS 11
II. THE ORIGIN AND EARLY HISTORY OF THE CATACOMBS 49
III. THE DISUSE AND ABANDONMENT OF THE CATACOMBS 120
IV. THE REDISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION OF THE CATACOMBS 150
V. THE PRINCIPAL CATACOMBS 164

Book Second.

THE ART AND SYMBOLISM OF THE CATACOMBS.

I. EARLY CHRISTIAN ART 203
II. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CATACOMBS 225
III. THE BIBLICAL PAINTINGS OF THE CATACOMBS 282
IV. OBJECTS FOUND IN THE CATACOMBS 362

Book Third.

THE INSCRIPTIONS OF THE CATACOMBS.

I. GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE INSCRIPTIONS 395
II. THE DOCTRINAL TEACHINGS OF THE INSCRIPTIONS 415
III. EARLY CHRISTIAN LIFE AND CHARACTER AS READ IN
THE CATACOMBS 453
IV. MINISTRY, RITES, AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE PRIMITIVE
CHURCH AS INDICATED IN THE CATACOMBS 506

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 8

Fig. Page

1. Entrance to Catacomb of St. Priscilla 12
2. Entrance to Catacomb of St. Prætextatus 16
3. Part of Callixtan Catacomb 17
4. Gallery with Tombs 18
5. Interior of Corridor 20
6. Loculi--Open and Closed 23
7. Tomb of Valeria 24
8. Arcosolium with Perforated Slab 25
9. Plan of Double Chamber 26
10. Section of Gallery and Cubicula 27
11. Suite of Chambers 28
12. Vaulted Chamber with Columns 29
13. Cubiculum with Arcosolia 30
14. Section of Catacomb of Callixtus 32
15. Cubicula with Luminare 35
16. Gallery in St. Hermes 42
17. Part of Wall of Gallery in St. Hermes 42
18. Slab in Jewish Catacomb 51
19. Epitaph of Martyrus 66
20. Reputed Martyr Symbol 77
21. Epitaph of Lannus, a Martyr 98
22. Secret Stairway in Catacomb of Callixtus 101
23. Diogenes the Fossor 133
24. Fossor at Work 134
25. Tombs on Appian Way 165
26. Plan of Area in Callixtan Catacomb 171
27. Plan of Crypt of St. Peter and St. Paul 187
28. Crypt of St. Peter and St. Paul 188
29. Section of Catacomb of Helena 191
30. Entrance to Catacomb of St. Agnes 195
31. Mithraic Painting 216
32. Leaf Point 227
33. Phonetic Symbol--Leo 229
34. Phonetic Symbol--Porcella 230
35. Phonetic Symbol--Nabira 230
36. Wool-comber’s Implements 231
37. Carpenter’s Implements 231
38. Vine Dresser’s Tomb 232
39. Symbolical Anchor 234
40. Symbolical Ship 235
41. Symbolical Palm and Crown 236
42. Symbolical Doves 237
43. Symbolical Dove 238
44. Doves and Vase 238
45. Locus Primi 238
46. Symbolical Peacock 240
47. The Good Shepherd 245
48. Good Shepherd with Syrinx 246
49. Symbolical Lamb 249
50. Symbolical Fish 255 9
51. Symbolical Fish 256
52. Fish and Anchor 256
53. Fish and Dove 256
54. Eucharistic Symbol 256
55. Constantinian Monogram 265
56. Early Christian Seal 266
57. Various Forms of Monogram 267
58. Epitaph of Tasaris 267
59. Opisthographæ 268
60. Early Christian Seal 270
61. Monogram and Cross 270
62. The Temptation and Fall 284
63. Adam and Eve Receiving their Sentence 285
64. Noah in the Ark 286
65. Noah in the Ark 287
66. Noah in the Ark, from Sarcophagus 287
67. Apamean Medal 288
68. Sacrifice of Isaac 289
69. Sacrifice of Isaac 289
70. Moses on Horeb 290
71. Moses Receiving the Law 290
72. Moses and the Baskets of Manna 291
73. Moses Striking the Rock 291
74. Moses Striking the Rock 291
75. The Sufferings of Job 293
76. Ascension of Elijah 295
77. The Three Hebrew Children 296
78. The Three Hebrew Children 297
79. The Three Hebrew Children 298
80. Daniel in the Lions’ Den 299
81. The Story of Jonah 300
82. Jonah, Moses, and Oranti 301
83. Jonah and the Great Fish 302
84. Noah and Jonah 302
85. Jonah’s Gourd 304
86. Adoration of Magi 305
87. Adoration of Magi 306
88. Orante 309
89. Supposed Madonna 311
90. Earliest Madonna 312
91. Christ with the Doctors 324
92. Christ and the Woman of Samaria 325
93. Paralytic Carrying Bed 325
94. Woman with Issue of Blood 326
95. Miracle of Loaves and Fishes 327
96. Opening the Eyes of the Blind 327
97. Christ Blessing a Little Child 328
98. Lazarus (rude) 330
99. Lazarus (in fresco) 330
100. Lazarus (in relief) 331
101. Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem 331
102. Peter’s Denial of Christ 332
103. Pilate Washing his Hands 333
104. Sculptured Sarcophagus 334
105. Painted Chamber 339
106. Oldest Extant Head of Christ (mosaic) 347
107. God Symbolized by a Hand 356
108. God as Pope 359
109. Domestic Group in Gilt Glass 366
110. Reputed Martyr Relic 371
111. Reputed Martyr Symbol 371
112. Symbolical Lamp 377
113. Symbolical Lamp 378
114. Vases from the Catacombs 381
115. Amphora from the Catacombs 382 10
116. Earthen and Metal Vessels 383
117. Early Christian Ring 385
118. Early Christian Seal 385
119. Impressions of Seals 386
120. Children’s Toys 387
121. Statue of Good Shepherd 390
122. Epitaph of Gemella 401
123. Epitaph of Ligurius Successus 402
124. Epitaph of Domitius 402
125. Epitaph Inverted 404
126. Epitaph Reversed 404
127. Epitaph of Cassta 405
128. Triple Epitaph 405
129. Belicia 500
130. Chamber with Catechumens’ Seats 531
131. Baptismal Font 537
132. Baptism of Our Lord 538
133. Baptismal Scene 539
134. Fresco of Early Christian Agape 546

BOOK FIRST. 11

STRUCTURE AND HISTORY OF THE CATACOMBS.