Chapter IX: Part III

THE GREAT NUMBERS OF MARTYRS IN THE FIRST
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS

INTRODUCTORY

Christian tradition by no means exaggerates the number of
martyrs--the contrary, indeed, is the case--In the first two
hundred and fifty years the general tone of the early
Christian writings (above quoted) dwells on those
blood-stained days--But the great pagan authors of the
second century, Tacitus and Pliny, are the most definite on
the question of the vast number of martyrs--Here is cited a
new piece of evidence concerning these great numbers from
notices in the “Pilgrim Itineraries” or “Guides” to the
catacombs of the sixth and following centuries--These tell
us what the pilgrims visited--The vast numbers of martyrs
in the different cemeteries again and again are dwelt upon 207

I

List of the various cemeteries and their locality, with
special notice of numbers of martyrs buried in each 210

II

SPECIAL REFERENCE IN THE “MONZA” PAPYRUS, ETC.

The “Monza” Catalogue--made for Queen Theodolinda by
Gregory the Great, with notices of number of martyrs from
the catalogue in question--Inscriptions of Pope
Damasus--References by the poet Prudentius on the number
of martyrs 214

III

DEDUCTIONS FROM THE “MONZA” CATALOGUE AND
“PILGRIM” GUIDES

General summary, allowing for some exaggeration in the
“Pilgrim” Guides and in the “Monza” Catalogue, on the great
numbers of these confessors and martyrs 215

BOOK IV

THE ROMAN CATACOMBS