DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0108
90
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. HL
The catacombs are subterranean streets or gal-
leries from four to eight feet in height, from two
to five in breadth, extending to an immense and
almost unknown length, and branching out into
various walks. The confusion occasioned by the
intersection of these galleries resembles that of a
labyrinth, and renders it difficult, and without great
precaution, dangerous to penetrate far into their
recesses. The catacombs were originally exca-
vated in order to find that earth or sand called
at present puzzolana, and supposed to form the
best and most lasting cement. They followed
the direction of the vein of sand, and were aban-
doned when that was exhausted, and oftentimes
totally forgotten. Such lone, unfrequented ca-
verns afforded a most commodious retreat to the
Christians, during the persecutions of the three first
centuries. In them therefore they held their
assemblies, celebrated the holy mysteries, and
deposited the remains of their martyred brethren.
For the latter purpose they employed niches in
the sides of the wall, placed there the body with
a vial filled with the blood of the martyr, or
perhaps some of the instruments of his execution,
and closed up the mouth of the niche with thin
bricks or tiles. Sometimes the name was in-
scribed with a word or two importing the belief
and hopes of the deceased; at other times a cross
or the initials of the titles of our Saviour inter-
3
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. HL
The catacombs are subterranean streets or gal-
leries from four to eight feet in height, from two
to five in breadth, extending to an immense and
almost unknown length, and branching out into
various walks. The confusion occasioned by the
intersection of these galleries resembles that of a
labyrinth, and renders it difficult, and without great
precaution, dangerous to penetrate far into their
recesses. The catacombs were originally exca-
vated in order to find that earth or sand called
at present puzzolana, and supposed to form the
best and most lasting cement. They followed
the direction of the vein of sand, and were aban-
doned when that was exhausted, and oftentimes
totally forgotten. Such lone, unfrequented ca-
verns afforded a most commodious retreat to the
Christians, during the persecutions of the three first
centuries. In them therefore they held their
assemblies, celebrated the holy mysteries, and
deposited the remains of their martyred brethren.
For the latter purpose they employed niches in
the sides of the wall, placed there the body with
a vial filled with the blood of the martyr, or
perhaps some of the instruments of his execution,
and closed up the mouth of the niche with thin
bricks or tiles. Sometimes the name was in-
scribed with a word or two importing the belief
and hopes of the deceased; at other times a cross
or the initials of the titles of our Saviour inter-
3