Chapter X: Part I: Introductory

The nature of the catacombs’ witness to the secret of the
“Inner Life” of the Church--A brief sketch of the contents
of the Fourth Book 219

I

THE ROMAN CATACOMBS--THEIR PLACE IN ECCLESIASTICAL
HISTORY

Early researches--Their disastrous character--De Rossi--His
view of the importance of the testimony of the catacombs
in early Christian history--Much that has been considered
legendary is really historic--Witness of catacombs to the
faith of the earliest Christians 223

II

DE ROSSI’S WAY OF WORKING IN HIS INVESTIGATIONS

Among the materials with which De Rossi worked may be cited:
Acta Martyrum of S. Jerome, Liber Pontificalis, the
“Pilgrim Itineraries,” and the “Monza” Catalogue, which is
specially described--Decoration of certain crypts--Basilica
(ruins) above ground--Luminaria--Graffiti of
pilgrims--Inscriptions of Pope Damasus _in situ_, and also
preserved in ancient syllogæ 226

Certain of his more important discoveries in the cemeteries
of SS. Domitilla, Priscilla, Callistus--The yet later
discoveries of Marucchi and others 230

III

GENERAL ACCOUNT OF THE VASTNESS AND SITUATION OF
THE CATACOMBS

(1) The Vatican cemetery and the groups of catacombs on the
right bank of the Tiber 232

IV

(2) On the Via Ostiensis--Basilica of S. Paul--Cemeteries on
the Via Ardeatina--Grandeur of cemetery of S. Domitilla--The
small basilica of S. Petronilla 236

V

(3) Groups of cemeteries on the Via Appia--S. Sebastian (_ad
Catacumbas_)--Group of S. Callistus--The Papal crypt--S.
Soteris--Catacomb of Prætextatus on left hand of the
Via Appia--Tomb of S. Januarius in this catacomb 242

VI

(4) Cemeteries on the Via Latina and Via Tiburtina--S.
Hippolytus--S. Laurence--S. Agnes’ cemetery on the Via
Nomentana 248

VII

(5) Cemeteries on the Via Salaria Nova--S. Felicitas; the
great cemetery of S. Priscilla, and the ancient Roman
churches connected with it--Legends--Remains of basilica
of S. Sylvester over the cemetery of S. Priscilla--Memories
of S. Peter in this cemetery--Its waters--Recent
discoveries--Popes buried in the basilica of S. Sylvester 258

VIII

(6) Unimportant cemeteries on the Via Salaria Vetus--S.
Pamphylus--S. Hermes--S. Valentinus, etc. 274

APPENDIX I.--S. PETRONILLA

Suggested derivation of Petronilla--De Rossi and other
scholars still hold to the ancient Petrine
tradition--Reasons for maintaining it--Early mediæval
testimony here--Traces of the early cult of this Saint 277

APPENDIX II.--TOMB OF S. PETER

Probable situation of the tomb in present basilica of
S. Peter--Account of what was found in the course of the
excavations in the seventeenth century, by Ubaldi, Canon
of S. Peter’s, who was an eye-witness of the discoveries
made in A.D. 1626, when the works required for the great
bronze Baldacchino of Bernini were being carried out 279