[136] In support of this conclusion, above ground, over this area of the great “Callistus” Cemetery, important Columbaria have been found belonging to the “gens Cæcilia.” Thus long before S. Cecilia’s time the spot had been evidently the burying-place of the illustrious house to which she belonged.
[137] The eldest of the “seven” was the well-known S. Januarius.
[138] The manner of death of this illustrious family of Christian martyrs was as follows, as far as we can gather from the concise notices in the “Acts”:
Januarius, the eldest, was beaten to death by whips loaded with lead.
The second and third brothers apparently met with the same doom.
The fourth was thrown down from a height, and so died.
The three remaining brothers and their mother Felicitas were dealt with more mercifully and were decapitated.
[139] Agapitus is so spelt in the rough graffite here referred to.
[140] S. Augustine in the first quarter of the fifth century, circa A.D. 421, in reply to a question addressed to him by S. Paulinus of Nola, discusses the question whether or not is it advantageous to be buried close to the grave of a saint? The little work of Augustine, however, broadens out into points connected with the doctrine of “Invocation of Saints.” A résumé of some of S. Augustine’s thoughts and arguments will be found in a short Appendix to this chapter.
[141] The initial letters of the Redeemer’s names and principal titles (in Greek) made up the word ἰχθύς or fish. Thus: