From House Church to Imperial Church: San Callisto Catacombs, Vatican and Sistene Chapel

Via Appia 2400 years old.

Catacombs of San Callisto

Christian Burial tombs 200-300AD

Many hectares, four levels deep, bodies wrapped and packed tightly in tombs and covered with lime to avoid smell, symbol of good Shepherd carved alongside name, not cross which came later. Dove and olive branch symbol denotes they are at peace. Icthus also as Christian. No payment required to be buried. Jonah story also depicted as Resurrection story. (Not whale or fish, rather sea monster)

St Cecelia patron saint of music, 14 years old, tried to kill her three times for converting to Christianity, burned but she continued walking, beheaded but held head up, died after a few days of blood loss. She was Roman and they were beheaded to save them from excessive pain.

Barbarians desecrated graves looking for treasures. Pagans who had converted to Christianity from other religions would still be buried with treasure for payment of crossing River Styx

Catacombs translates as "near hole." The volcanic rock had been excavated for construction of nearby monuments. It was soft tufa (volcanic ash) and was easily dug but would harden on contact with air.

Aurelian walls (on street).

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