The '''Catacombs of Rome''' are ancient Christian underground Burial_places near Rome, Italy. Etruscans used to bury their dead in Underground chambers. Christians revived the practice because they did not want to cremate their dead due to their belief in bodily Resurrection. Hence they began to bury their dead, first in simple graves and sometimes in burial vaults of pro-Christian Patricians. The first large-scale Catacombs were excavated from the 2nd century onwards. Originally they were carved through soft rock outside the boundaries of the city, because Roman law forbade burial places within city limits. At first they were used both for burial and the memorial services and celebrations of the anniversaries of Christian Martyrs (following similar Roman customs). They probably were not used for regular worship. They might have been used as hiding places in times of persecution but the matter is controversial. There are forty known subterranean burial chambers in Rome. They were built along Roman_roads, like the Via_Appia, the Via_Ostiense, the Via_Labicana, the Via_Tiburtina, and the Via_Nomentana. Names of the catacombs – like St Calixtus and St Sebastian alongside Via Appia – refer to martyrs that are supposedly buried there. Christian excavators built vast systems of galleries and passages on top of each other. They lie 7-19 meters (22-65 ft) below the surface in area of more than 2.4 km² (600 acres). Narrow steps that descend as many as four stories join the levels. Passages are about 2.5x1 meters (8x3 feet). Burial niches were carved into walls. They are 40-60 cm (16-24 in) high and 120-150 cm (47-59 in) long. Bodies were placed in chambers in stone Sarcophagi in their clothes and bound in linen. Then the chamber was sealed with a slab bearing the name, age and the day of death. Fresco decorations were typically Roman. The catacomb of Saint_Agnes is a small church. In 380, Christianity became a State_religion. At first many still desired to be buried in chambers alongside martyrs. However, the practice of catacomb burial declined slowly, and the dead were increasingly buried in church cemeteries. In the 6th century catacombs were used only for martyrs’ memorial services. Apparently Ostrogoths, Vandals and Lombards that sacked Rome also violated the catacombs, possibly looking for valuables. By the 10th century catacombs were practically abandoned, and holy Relics were transferred to above-ground Basilicas. In the intervening centuries they remained forgotten until they were accidentally rediscovered in 1578. Archeologist Battista_de_Rossi (1822-1894) published extensive studies about catacombs. In 1956 and 1959 Italian authorities found more catacombs near Rome. The catacombs have become an important monument of the early Christian church. Currently maintenance of the catacombs is in the hands of the Papacy. == External links == *About the Roman Catacombs *Catacombe Roma *Rodolpho Lanciani, ''Pagan and Christian Rome'' 1892, Chapter VII: Christian Cemeteries Category:Ancient_Roman_architecture Category:Ancient_Roman_Christianity Category:Death_customs Category:Cemeteries_in_Italy Category:Subterranea It:Catacombe_di_Roma