This book brings together nearly the last thirty years of studies and discoveries made in the Roman catacombs. It is a version that updates the contents of the one published more than two decades ago.
VINCENZO FIOCCHI NICOLAI
Co-author of the book
I can, for example, mention the discovery of a shrine made for a group of martyrs in the catacomb of Marcellinus and Peter, which was a sensational find because it was something completely unexpected. Important paintings were also discovered and finally I would say that this volume brings news about the debate that there was in recent times about the identity of the catacombs and their characteristics.
Another of the discoveries made was in the catacomb of St. Callixtus, in the crypt of St. Cecilia, one of the most venerated martyrs of the early centuries. The devotion inspired by this young woman forced the crypt to be adapted.
MONS. PASQUALE IACOBONE
President, Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology
The discoveries are related to the works they did in the crypt to make it more accessible to pilgrims. Because the cult of St. Cecilia is spreading and this is added to the veneration of the nine pontiffs of the third century and, therefore, with the influx of pilgrims who want to visit her, they must do works to enlarge and beautify the crypt. And this was not known before.
What this new edition of “The Christian Catacombs of Rome. History, Image and Epigraphy” demonstrates is that there is still much to study and know about the first communities of Christ's followers.
JH
