Catacomb of Priscilla

Isaiah (left) predicts the birth of the Messiah from the Virgin.[1] Mary is shown nursing the Infant Jesus. Circa 100-150 A.D., Catacomb of Priscilla.[1]
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Location	Rome,Italy
Coordinates	41°55′47″N12°30′31″E / 41.9297°N 12.5087°E /41.9297; 12.5087
Type	Catacombs

TheCatacomb of Priscilla is a large archaeological site on theVia Salaria inRome, Italy, situated in what was a quarry inRoman times. The catacombs extend underground for over seven miles, making them one of Rome's most extensive catacombs.^[2] it was used for thousands of Christian burials from the late 2nd century through the 4th century.^[3] The origin of thecatacomb's namesake is highly contested and theorized. In one theory, Priscilla belonged to theAcilii Glabriones family and was the woman patron who donated the site. The family name can be found etched into thehypogeum.^[3]

The walls also display some of the earliest knownfrescos ofBiblical scenes. Many of these frescos are studied specifically for their portrayal of early Christian women.^[4][3]

The modern entrance to the catacombs are on the Via Salaria through the cloister of the monastery of theBenedictines of Priscilla. The Catacombs of Priscilla are divided into three notable areas: a Greek Chapel (Capella Greca), thecryptoporticus, and the tombs.^[3]

There are popular interpretations of the artwork found in the catacombs, but the contents of each painting are highly contested by scholars.

External videos
Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, 11:03,Smarthistory[5]

The wall paintings in this catacomb include images of saints and earlyChristian symbols, such as the painting reproduced inGiovanni Gaetano Bottari's folio of 1754, where theGood Shepherd is depicted as feeding thelambs, with a crowingcock on his right and left hand.^[6]

Particularly notable is the "Greek Chapel" (Capella Greca), a square chamber excavated by CommendatoreGiovanni Batista De Rossi (1822-1894) and his protégé, Josef Wilpert.^[2] The chapel contains many 3rd centuryfrescoes generally interpreted to beOld andNew Testament scenes, including theFractio Panis. The appearance of the figures in the Fractio Panis insinuate that most, if not all, could be women.^[3][4]

Another famous fresco on the walls depicts what scholars believe to be the earliest surviving illustration ofSusannah and the Elders (Daniel 13).^[7] Susannah is painted in theorans pose and the fresco stands at around two feet tall.^[4] 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.^[8]

Near this are figures of theMadonna and Child and the ProphetIsaiah, also dating from the early 3rd century. The Priscilla catacombs may contain the oldest known Marian paintings, from the early third century.^[9][10] Mary is shown withJesus on her lap, and the catacombs may have a depiction of theAnnunciation, though the latter has been disputed.^[11]

A fresco of a figure and a lion is argued to be either ofDavid orThecla due to the feminine appearance and singular lion.^[3]

Other notable paintings include the story ofDaniel 3,Moses,^[12] rising ofLazarus,Mary Magdalene (John 20),^[3] and theCubiculum of the Velata which consists of three portraits that depict the life of a singular unnamed woman.^[4][12][2]

These images have more than one interpretation. One possibility: Image 2, a bishop veils a consecrated virgin; image 3, the same virgin praying in orans; image 4, the Virgin Mary with Jesus.^[13]

• 
  One interpretation: the thee images together illustrate three stages of a woman's life in the 3rd century A.D.
• 
  Stage one, the child. A man shows the garment of a consecrated nun to two children, one of whom is a girl.^[14]
• 
  Stage two, the girl becomes a consecrated virgin, praying in theorante-style pose.^[15]
• 
  Stage three, the consecrated virgin becomes a mother. This image has also been interpreted as showing Mary with Jesus.^[16]

Historical guidebooks state that seven earlypopes and more than three hundredmartyrs were buried in the cemetery.^[3] Due to the number of martyrs housed, it was known as the "Queen of the Catacombs" in antiquity.^[2] Two known popes were buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla:Pope Marcellinus (296-304) andPope Marcellus I (308-309).^[17] Their martyrdom was represented in the iconographies made by order of the PopesDamasus,Siricius,Celestine andVirgilius.^[10]

Alleged relics of PopesSylvester I,Stephen I, andDionysius were exhumed and enshrined beneath the high altar ofSan Martino ai Monti (founded as Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti), in theEsquiline 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 ofOld Saint Peter's Basilica was attributed to Sylvester I and moved toNonantola Abbey, near the altar that contains the remains ofPope Adrian III. Other sources describe a combination of Sylvester I and Vigilius in an altar in St. Peter's.^[18]

According to Catholic tradition, remains belonging to SaintPhilomena were found on May 24–25, 1802, in the catacombs. They have since been relocated toMugnano del Cardinale.^[19]

The bones ofSaints Praxedes andPudentiana were contained in the catacomb until they were moved in the 9th century byPope Paschal I to be housed in the rebuiltSanta Prassede.^[20]

A chalcedonyphalerae and other objects made of rock, crystal, and glass found in the catacomb are believed to come from the Kushan Empire through trade. It is believed these objects act asamulets.^[21]

Many inscriptions dedicated to widows (χήρα) of the church can be found in the catacomb. One of the inscriptions is about a widow called The Mother Reina (Regina). The wording used in the dedication associates her with a position of power within her church.^[3]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toCatacombs of Priscilla.

• Reardon, Wendy J. 2004.The Deaths of the Popes. Macfarland & Company, Inc.ISBN 0-7864-1527-4

• Catacombs of Rome
• Papal tombs
• Rome Q. XVII Trieste

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