The Catacombs

Although the catacombs were not originally pagan places of worship which later adopted Christian significance, I would like to include them, because they are places with Christian significance which were influenced by the ancient Romans. Contrary to popular belief, the catacombs were not early Christian places of worship used during periods of persecution. However, the catacombs still reveal significant context behind early Christianity. The first catacombs were not constructed until the 2nd Century, because that is when Christianity grew large enough to require its own cemetery. Unlike pagan burial sites, called a necropolis, or "city of the dead," the Christian word "cemetery" refers to sleep, reflecting the Christian belief in the afterlife and Christ's second coming, contrasting with pagan views on death. The catacombs are located outside the city, because Roman laws forbade people from being buried within city walls. The location of the catacombs outside the city is also why they were abandoned, because it became unsafe to leave the protection of the city because of invasions. Pictures were not allowed inside the catacombs, so pictured below is a reproduction of Christian symbols found inside the catacombs.