The Catacomb of Priscilla is an archaeological site on the Via Salaria in Rome, Italy, situated in what was a quarry in Roman times. This quarry was used for Christian burials from the late 2nd century through the 4th century. This catacomb, according to tradition, is named after the wife of the ConsulManius Acilius Glabrio; he is said to have become a Christian and was killed on the orders of Domitian. Some of the walls and ceilings display fine decorations illustrating Biblical scenes.
Catacomb of Priscilla
Possibly an image of Mary nursing the Infant Jesus. 3rd century, Catacomb of Priscilla
The modern entrance to the catacomb is on the Via Salaria through the cloister of the monastery of the Benedictines of Priscilla. The Catacombs of Priscilla are divided into three principal areas: an arenarium, a cryptoporticus from a large Roman villa, and the underground burial area of the ancient Roman family, the Acilius Glabrio.
The wall paintings in this catacomb include images of saints and early Christian symbols, such as the painting reproduced in Giovanni Gaetano Bottari's folio of 1754, where the Good Shepherd is depicted as feeding the lambs, with a crowing cock on his right and left hand.[1]
Particularly notable is the "Greek Chapel" (Capella Greca), a square chamber with an arch which contains 3rd century frescoes generally interpreted to be Old and New Testament scenes, including the Fractio Panis. Above the apse is a Last Judgment. New, and somewhat controversial research has begun to suggest that the scenes traditionally interpreted as the deuterocanonical story of Susannah (Daniel 13) may actually be scenes from the life of a prestigious Christian woman of the 2nd century AD.[3] Near this are figures of the Madonna and Child and the Prophet Isaiah, also dating from the early 3rd century.
The Priscilla catacombs may contain the oldest known Marian paintings, from the early third century.[4][5] Mary is shown with Jesus on her lap, and the catacombs may have a depiction of the Annunciation, though the latter has been disputed.[6]
Papal tombs
On account of the fact that seven early popes and many martyrs were buried in the cemetery, it was known as the "Queen of the Catacombs" in antiquity. Two popes were buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla: Pope Marcellinus (296 - 304) and Pope Marcellus I (308 - 309).[7] Their martyrdom was represented in the iconographies made by order of the Popes Damasus, Siricius, Celestine and Virgilius.[5]
Alleged relics of Popes Sylvester I, Stephen I, and Dionysius were exhumed and enshrined beneath the high altar of San Martino ai Monti (founded as Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti), in the Esquiline area of Rome. Pope Sylvester I was likely originally buried in San Martino ai Monti, although some sources say his remains were transferred there. An unidentified papal sarcophagus discovered during the demolition of Old Saint Peter's Basilica was attributed to Sylvester I and moved to Nonantola Abbey, near the altar that contains the remains of Pope Adrian III. Other sources describe a combination of Sylvester I and Vigilius in an altar in St. Peter's.[8]
^Nicola Denzey, The Bone Gatherers: The Lost Worlds of Early Christian Women, Boston: Beacon Press 2007
^La prima immagine di Maria nelle catacombe di Priscilla (Roma) [The first image of the Virgin Mary in the catacomb of Priscilla] (in Italian). TV2000. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
^ abP.L.Imbrighi; M.Marocco; A.Migliorini (January 1, 2007). "Catacombe di Priscilla – Via Salaria" (PDF). Rubricatus della Pontificia Accademia Cultorum Martyrum (in Italian). Pontificia Academia Cultorum Martyrum. (PDF) from the original on January 10, 2017.
^Vladimir Lossky, 1982 The Meaning of IconsISBN978-0-913836-99-6 p. 173; compare Mary Joan Winn Leith, "Earliest Depictions of the Virgin Mary," Biblical Archaeology Review, vol. 43, no. 2, March/April 2017, p. 49
^"Praxedes and Pudentia". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
Sources
Reardon, Wendy J. 2004. The Deaths of the Popes. Macfarland & Company, Inc. ISBN0-7864-1527-4
January 26, 2023
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The Catacomb of Priscilla is an archaeological site on the Via Salaria in Rome Italy situated in what was a quarry in Roman times This quarry was used for Christian burials from the late 2nd century through the 4th century This catacomb according to tradition is named after the wife of the Consul Manius Acilius Glabrio he is said to have become a Christian and was killed on the orders of Domitian Some of the walls and ceilings display fine decorations illustrating Biblical scenes Catacomb of PriscillaPossibly an image of Mary nursing the Infant Jesus 3rd century Catacomb of PriscillaClick on the map to see marker LocationRome ItalyCoordinates41 55 47 N 12 30 31 E 41 9297 N 12 5087 E 41 9297 12 5087TypeCatacombsThe modern entrance to the catacomb is on the Via Salaria through the cloister of the monastery of the Benedictines of Priscilla The Catacombs of Priscilla are divided into three principal areas an arenarium a cryptoporticus from a large Roman villa and the underground burial area of the ancient Roman family the Acilius Glabrio Contents 1 Artworks 2 Papal tombs 3 Other relics 4 References 5 SourcesArtworks EditThe wall paintings in this catacomb include images of saints and early Christian symbols such as the painting reproduced in Giovanni Gaetano Bottari s folio of 1754 where the Good Shepherd is depicted as feeding the lambs with a crowing cock on his right and left hand 1 External video Catacomb of Priscilla Rome 11 03 Smarthistory 2 Particularly notable is the Greek Chapel Capella Greca a square chamber with an arch which contains 3rd century frescoes generally interpreted to be Old and New Testament scenes including the Fractio Panis Above the apse is a Last Judgment New and somewhat controversial research has begun to suggest that the scenes traditionally interpreted as the deuterocanonical story of Susannah Daniel 13 may actually be scenes from the life of a prestigious Christian woman of the 2nd century AD 3 Near this are figures of the Madonna and Child and the Prophet Isaiah also dating from the early 3rd century The Priscilla catacombs may contain the oldest known Marian paintings from the early third century 4 5 Mary is shown with Jesus on her lap and the catacombs may have a depiction of the Annunciation though the latter has been disputed 6 Papal tombs EditOn account of the fact that seven early popes and many martyrs were buried in the cemetery it was known as the Queen of the Catacombs in antiquity Two popes were buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla Pope Marcellinus 296 304 and Pope Marcellus I 308 309 7 Their martyrdom was represented in the iconographies made by order of the Popes Damasus Siricius Celestine and Virgilius 5 Alleged relics of Popes Sylvester I Stephen I and Dionysius were exhumed and enshrined beneath the high altar of San Martino ai Monti founded as Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti in the Esquiline area of Rome Pope Sylvester I was likely originally buried in San Martino ai Monti although some sources say his remains were transferred there An unidentified papal sarcophagus discovered during the demolition of Old Saint Peter s Basilica was attributed to Sylvester I and moved to Nonantola Abbey near the altar that contains the remains of Pope Adrian III Other sources describe a combination of Sylvester I and Vigilius in an altar in St Peter s 8 Other relics EditThe bones of Saints Praxedes and Pudentiana were contained in the catacomb until they were moved in the 9th century by Pope Paschal I to be housed in the rebuilt Santa Prassede 9 It is also in this catacomb that the relics of saint Philomena were found References Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Catacombs of Priscilla The Hymns of Prudentius Aurelius Clemens Prudentius p 125 Publisher Echo Library 2008 ISBN 9781406866100 Catacomb of Priscilla Rome Smarthistory at Khan Academy Retrieved October 10 2014 Nicola Denzey The Bone Gatherers The Lost Worlds of Early Christian Women Boston Beacon Press 2007 La prima immagine di Maria nelle catacombe di Priscilla Roma The first image of the Virgin Mary in the catacomb of Priscilla in Italian TV2000 Archived from the original on 2021 12 14 Retrieved March 28 2021 a b P L Imbrighi M Marocco A Migliorini January 1 2007 Catacombe di Priscilla Via Salaria PDF Rubricatus della Pontificia Accademia Cultorum Martyrum in Italian Pontificia Academia Cultorum Martyrum Archived PDF from the original on January 10 2017 Vladimir Lossky 1982 The Meaning of Icons ISBN 978 0 913836 99 6 p 173 compare Mary Joan Winn Leith Earliest Depictions of the Virgin Mary Biblical Archaeology Review vol 43 no 2 March April 2017 p 49 Reardon 2004 p 32 Reardon 2004 pp 33 34 Praxedes and Pudentia Catholic Encyclopedia Retrieved 26 October 2010 Sources EditReardon Wendy J 2004 The Deaths of the Popes Macfarland amp Company Inc ISBN 0 7864 1527 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Catacomb of Priscilla amp oldid 1062264704, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
