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Catacombs

February 24, 2023

For other uses, see Catacombs (disambiguation).

Catacombs are man-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Any chamber used as a burial place is a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire.[1]

A procession in the San Callistus catacombs in Rome, painted by Alberto Pisa.

Etymology and history

The first place to be referred to as catacombs was the system of underground tombs between the 2nd and 3rd milestones of the Appian Way in Rome, where the bodies of the apostles Peter and Paul, among others, were said to have been buried. The name of that place in Late Latin was L.L. fem. nom. pl. n. catacumbas (sing. catacumba) a word of obscure origin, possibly deriving from a proper name or a derivation of the Latin phrase catatumbas, "among the tombs". The word referred originally only to the Roman catacombs, but was extended by 1836 to refer to any subterranean receptacle of the dead, as in the 18th-century Paris catacombs.[2] The ancient Christians carved the first catacombs from soft tufa rock. (ref)" (World Book Encyclopedia, page 296)

All Roman catacombs were located outside city walls since it was illegal to bury a dead body within the city,[3] providing "a place…where martyrs' tombs could be openly marked" and commemorative services and feasts held safely on sacred days.[4]

Around the world

 
Grave niches in the Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome.
 
Jesus and his twelve apostles, fresco with the Chi-Rho symbol ☧, Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome.
 
The Chi-Rho symbol ☧ with Alpha and Omega, Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome.

Catacombs around the world include:

There are also catacomb-like burial chambers in Anatolia, Turkey; in Sousse, North Africa; in Syracuse, Italy; Trier, Germany; Kyiv, Ukraine. Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, Sicily were used as late as the 1920s. Catacombs were available in some of the grander English cemeteries founded in the 19th Century, such as Sheffield General Cemetery (above ground) and West Norwood Cemetery (below ground). There are catacombs in Bulgaria near Aladzha Monastery[citation needed] and in Romania as medieval underground galleries in Bucharest.[7] In Ukraine and Russia, catacomb (used in the local languages' plural katakomby) also refers to the network of abandoned caves and tunnels earlier used to mine stone, especially limestone.

In Italy possible Catacombs are also located in Alezio, beside the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Assunta, as well as the basement of Santa Maria della Lizza Sanctuary [it].[clarification needed]

Decorations

Catacombs, although most notable as underground passageways and cemeteries, also house many decorations. There are thousands of decorations in the centuries-old catacombs of Rome, catacombs of Paris, and other known, some of which include inscriptions, paintings, statues, ornaments, and other items placed in the graves over the years.

Most of these decorations were used to identify, immortalize and show respect to the dead. Decorations in the catacombs of Rome were primarily decorated with images and words exalting Christ or depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.[8] Much of the sculpture work and art, other than engravings on the walls or tombs, has been preserved in places such as the Museum of Saint John Lateran, Christian Museum of Berlin University, and the Vatican.[9]

Three representations of Christ as Orpheus charming animals with peaceful music have been found in the catacombs of Domatilla and St. Callista.[10] Another figure was made of gilded glass and dates back to the fourth century, featuring Jesus with the world balanced in his hand and a scroll at his feet.[11]

Inscriptions

Although thousands of inscriptions were lost as time passed, many of those remaining indicate the social rank or job title of its inhabitants; however, most of the inscriptions simply indicate how loving a couple was, or the love of parents and such. A common and particularly interesting one found in Roman catacombs is the Ichthys, or "Monogram of Christ" which reads ΙΧΘΥΣ, standing for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior".[10]

Bacteria

In recent years unique strains of bacteria have been discovered that thrive in catacombs, inducing mineral efflorescence and decay. These include Kribbella sancticallisti, Kribbella catacumbae, and three types of non-thermophilic (low-temperature) Rubrobacter.[12][13]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Other examples include a Neolithic long barrow, an Ancient Egyptian necropolis, or modern underground vaults such as the Catacombs of Paris.
  2. ^ "Catacombs", Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed 10 July 2010.
  3. ^ Hurst, John Fletcher (1897). History of the Christian Church. Vol. 1. Eaton and Mains.
  4. ^ Webb, Matilda (2001). The Churches of riles often used these ctacombs, And Catacombs of Early Christian Rome: a Comprehensive Guide. Sussex Academic Press. p. xiv, xi-xii. ISBN 9781902210575.
  5. ^ "Maltese Catacomb Complexes". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  6. ^ "Take a photo tour of the crypts underneath St. Patrick's Old Cathedral". timeout.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  7. ^ . Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  8. ^ Hurst, John Fletcher (1900). Short History of the Christian Church. Harper and Brothers. pp. 87–88.
  9. ^ Hurst, John Fletcher (1900). Short History of the Christian Church. Harper and Brothers. p. 87.
  10. ^ a b Hurst, John Fletcher (1900). Short History of the Christian Church. Harper and Brothers. p. 88.
  11. ^ Hurst, John Fletcher (1900). Short History of the Christian Church. Harper and Brothers. p. 89.
  12. ^ ScienceDaily, Bacteria Cause Old Buildings To Feel Off-Color 28 October 2008
  13. ^ ScienceDaily, New Life Found in Ancient Tombs, 1 October 2008

References

  • Blyton, Enid "Five go to Smuggler's Top" Hodder and Stroughton (1945) ISBN 978-1-84456-678-5
  • Éamonn Ó Carragáin, Carol L. Neuman de Vegvar Roma felix: formation and reflections of medieval Rome Ashgate (14 March 2008) ISBN 978-0-7546-6096-5 p. 33 Roma Felix: Formation and Reflections of Medieval Rome
  • Nicholson, Paul Thomas (2005) "The sacred animal necropolis at North Saqqara: the cults and their catacombs" In Salima Ikram (ed) Divine creatures: animal mummies in Ancient Egypt. American University in Cairo Press, 2005 pp. 44–71. ISBN 978-977-424-858-0

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Catacombs.
  • The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian
  • The Catacombs of Naples
  • The Catacombs of Odessa
  • Catacombs
  • Subterranean Britannica
  • The Catacombs of Lima, Peru

February 24, 2023
catacombs, other, uses, disambiguation, made, subterranean, passageways, religious, practice, chamber, used, burial, place, catacomb, although, word, most, commonly, associated, with, roman, empire, procession, callistus, catacombs, rome, painted, alberto, pis. For other uses see Catacombs disambiguation Catacombs are man made subterranean passageways for religious practice Any chamber used as a burial place is a catacomb although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire 1 A procession in the San Callistus catacombs in Rome painted by Alberto Pisa Contents 1 Etymology and history 2 Around the world 3 Decorations 3 1 Inscriptions 4 Bacteria 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksEtymology and history EditThe first place to be referred to as catacombs was the system of underground tombs between the 2nd and 3rd milestones of the Appian Way in Rome where the bodies of the apostles Peter and Paul among others were said to have been buried The name of that place in Late Latin was L L fem nom pl n catacumbas sing catacumba a word of obscure origin possibly deriving from a proper name or a derivation of the Latin phrase catatumbas among the tombs The word referred originally only to the Roman catacombs but was extended by 1836 to refer to any subterranean receptacle of the dead as in the 18th century Paris catacombs 2 The ancient Christians carved the first catacombs from soft tufa rock ref World Book Encyclopedia page 296 All Roman catacombs were located outside city walls since it was illegal to bury a dead body within the city 3 providing a place where martyrs tombs could be openly marked and commemorative services and feasts held safely on sacred days 4 Around the world Edit Grave niches in the Catacombs of Domitilla Rome Paris Catacombs Jesus and his twelve apostles fresco with the Chi Rho symbol Catacombs of Domitilla Rome The Chi Rho symbol with Alpha and Omega Catacombs of Domitilla Rome Catacombs around the world include Austria Catacombs of St Stephen s Cathedral Vienna Czech Republic Catacombs of Znojmo Bosnia and Herzegovina Catacombs of Jajce Egypt Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa or Kom al Sukkfa Shuqafa etc in Alexandria England Catacombs of London and others Finland Catacombs of the Helsinki Orthodox cemetery at Hietaniemi cemetery France Catacombs of Paris Mine workings were used at end of the 18th century and had no religious purpose other than as an ossuary for storing the bones of cleared graveyards Greece Catacombs of Milos Italy Catacombs of Rome Catacombs of Naples Capuchin catacombs of Palermo Catacombs of Syracuse and others Malta Catacombs of Malta 5 Peru Catacombs of Lima Philippines Catacomb of Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Spain Catacombs of Sacromonte in Granada Serbia Petrovaradin Fortress catacombs Tunisia Catacombs of Sousse Ukraine Odessa Catacombs United States Old St Patrick s Cathedral 6 There are also catacomb like burial chambers in Anatolia Turkey in Sousse North Africa in Syracuse Italy Trier Germany Kyiv Ukraine Capuchin catacombs of Palermo Sicily were used as late as the 1920s Catacombs were available in some of the grander English cemeteries founded in the 19th Century such as Sheffield General Cemetery above ground and West Norwood Cemetery below ground There are catacombs in Bulgaria near Aladzha Monastery citation needed and in Romania as medieval underground galleries in Bucharest 7 In Ukraine and Russia catacomb used in the local languages plural katakomby also refers to the network of abandoned caves and tunnels earlier used to mine stone especially limestone In Italy possible Catacombs are also located in Alezio beside the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell Assunta as well as the basement of Santa Maria della Lizza Sanctuary it clarification needed Decorations EditCatacombs although most notable as underground passageways and cemeteries also house many decorations There are thousands of decorations in the centuries old catacombs of Rome catacombs of Paris and other known some of which include inscriptions paintings statues ornaments and other items placed in the graves over the years Most of these decorations were used to identify immortalize and show respect to the dead Decorations in the catacombs of Rome were primarily decorated with images and words exalting Christ or depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible 8 Much of the sculpture work and art other than engravings on the walls or tombs has been preserved in places such as the Museum of Saint John Lateran Christian Museum of Berlin University and the Vatican 9 Three representations of Christ as Orpheus charming animals with peaceful music have been found in the catacombs of Domatilla and St Callista 10 Another figure was made of gilded glass and dates back to the fourth century featuring Jesus with the world balanced in his hand and a scroll at his feet 11 Inscriptions Edit Although thousands of inscriptions were lost as time passed many of those remaining indicate the social rank or job title of its inhabitants however most of the inscriptions simply indicate how loving a couple was or the love of parents and such A common and particularly interesting one found in Roman catacombs is the Ichthys or Monogram of Christ which reads IX8YS standing for Jesus Christ Son of God Savior 10 Bacteria EditIn recent years unique strains of bacteria have been discovered that thrive in catacombs inducing mineral efflorescence and decay These include Kribbella sancticallisti Kribbella catacumbae and three types of non thermophilic low temperature Rubrobacter 12 13 See also EditCemetery Crypt Ossuary The Cask of Amontillado Underground city NecropolisNotes Edit Other examples include a Neolithic long barrow an Ancient Egyptian necropolis or modern underground vaults such as the Catacombs of Paris Catacombs Online Etymology Dictionary accessed 10 July 2010 Hurst John Fletcher 1897 History of the Christian Church Vol 1 Eaton and Mains Webb Matilda 2001 The Churches of riles often used these ctacombs And Catacombs of Early Christian Rome a Comprehensive Guide Sussex Academic Press p xiv xi xii ISBN 9781902210575 Maltese Catacomb Complexes UNESCO World Heritage Centre Retrieved 17 April 2008 Take a photo tour of the crypts underneath St Patrick s Old Cathedral timeout com Retrieved 17 April 2018 Romania Libera Network of tunnels under the capital city Archived from the original on 29 January 2009 Retrieved 23 October 2008 Hurst John Fletcher 1900 Short History of the Christian Church Harper and Brothers pp 87 88 Hurst John Fletcher 1900 Short History of the Christian Church Harper and Brothers p 87 a b Hurst John Fletcher 1900 Short History of the Christian Church Harper and Brothers p 88 Hurst John Fletcher 1900 Short History of the Christian Church Harper and Brothers p 89 ScienceDaily Bacteria Cause Old Buildings To Feel Off Color 28 October 2008 ScienceDaily New Life Found in Ancient Tombs 1 October 2008References EditBlyton Enid Five go to Smuggler s Top Hodder and Stroughton 1945 ISBN 978 1 84456 678 5 Eamonn o Carragain Carol L Neuman de Vegvar Roma felix formation and reflections of medieval Rome Ashgate 14 March 2008 ISBN 978 0 7546 6096 5 p 33 Roma Felix Formation and Reflections of Medieval Rome Nicholson Paul Thomas 2005 The sacred animal necropolis at North Saqqara the cults and their catacombs In Salima Ikram ed Divine creatures animal mummies in Ancient Egypt American University in Cairo Press 2005 pp 44 71 ISBN 978 977 424 858 0External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Catacombs The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian The Catacombs of Naples The Catacombs of Odessa The Catacombs of Paris Catacombs The Catacombs of Saint Callist Subterranean Britannica The Catacombs of Lima Peru Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Catacombs amp oldid 1140842208, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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