The present work, it is hoped, will supply a want long felt in the literature of the Catacombs. That literature, it is true, is very voluminous; but it is for the most part locked up in rare and costly folios in foreign languages, and inaccessible to the general reader. Recent discoveries have refuted some of the theories and corrected many of the statements of previous books in English on this subject; and the present volume is the only one in which the latest results of exploration are fully given, and interpreted from a Protestant point of view.

The writer has endeavored to illustrate the subject by frequent pagan sepulchral inscriptions, and by citations from the writings of the Fathers, which often throw much light on the condition of early Christian society. The value of the work is greatly enhanced, it is thought, by the addition of many hundreds of early Christian inscriptions carefully translated, a very large proportion of which have never before appeared in English. Those only who have given some attention to epigraphical studies can conceive the difficulty of this part of the work. The defacements of time, and frequently the original imperfection of the inscriptions and the ignorance of their writers,

demand the utmost carefulness to avoid errors of interpretation. The writer has been fortunate in being assisted by the veteran scholarship of the Rev. Dr. McCaul, well known in both Europe and America as one of the highest living authorities in epigraphical science, under whose critical revision most of the translations have passed. Through the enterprise of the publishers this work is more copiously illustrated, from original and other sources, than any other work on the subject in the language; thus giving more correct and vivid impressions of the unfamiliar scenes and objects delineated than is possible by any mere verbal description. References are given, in the foot-notes, to the principal authorities quoted, but specific acknowledgment should here be made of the author’s indebtedness to the Cavaliere De Rossi’s Roma Sotterranea and Inscriptiones Christianæ, by far the most important works on this fascinating but difficult subject.

Believing that the testimony of the Catacombs exhibits, more strikingly than any other evidence, the immense contrast between primitive Christianity and modern Romanism, the author thinks no apology necessary for the somewhat polemical character of portions of this book which illustrate that fact. He trusts that it will be found a contribution of some value to the historical defense of the truth against the corruptions and innovations of Popish error.

CONTENTS.
Book First.
THE STRUCTURE AND HISTORY OF THE CATACOMBS.
ChapterPage
I.The Structure of the Catacombs[11]
II.The Origin and Early History of the Catacombs[49]
III.The Disuse and Abandonment of the Catacombs[120]
IV.The Rediscovery and Exploration of the Catacombs[150]
V.The Principal Catacombs[164]

Book Second.
THE ART AND SYMBOLISM OF THE CATACOMBS.
I.Early Christian Art[203]
II.The Symbolism of the Catacombs[225]
III.The Biblical Paintings of the Catacombs[282]
IV.Objects found in the Catacombs[362]

Book Third.
THE INSCRIPTIONS OF THE CATACOMBS.
I.General Character of the Inscriptions[395]
II.The Doctrinal Teachings of the Inscriptions[415]
III.Early Christian Life and Character as read inthe Catacombs[453]
IV.Ministry, Rites, and Institutions of the PrimitiveChurch as Indicated in the Catacombs[506]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Fig.Page
1.Entrance to Catacomb ofSt. Priscilla[12]
2.Entrance to Catacomb ofSt. Prætextatus[16]
3.Part of Callixtan Catacomb[17]
4.Gallery with Tombs[18]
5.Interior of Corridor[20]
6.Loculi—Open and Closed[23]
7.Tomb of Valeria[24]
8.Arcosolium with PerforatedSlab[25]
9.Plan of Double Chamber[26]
10.Section of Gallery andCubicula[27]
11.Suite of Chambers[28]
12.Vaulted Chamber withColumns[29]
13.Cubiculum with Arcosolia[30]
14.Section of Catacomb ofCallixtus[32]
15.Cubicula with Luminare[35]
16.Gallery in St. Hermes[42]
17.Part of Wall of Galleryin St. Hermes[42]
18.Slab in Jewish Catacomb[51]
19.Epitaph of Martyrus[66]
20.Reputed Martyr Symbol[77]
21.Epitaph of Lannus, aMartyr[98]
22.Secret Stairway in Catacombof Callixtus[101]
23.Diogenes the Fossor[133]
24.Fossor at Work[134]
25.Tombs on Appian Way[165]
26.Plan of Area in CallixtanCatacomb[171]
27.Plan of Crypt of St. Peterand St. Paul[187]
28.Crypt of St. Peter and St.Paul[188]
29.Section of Catacomb ofHelena[191]
30.Entrance to Catacomb ofSt. Agnes[195]
31.Mithraic Painting[216]
32.Leaf Point[227]
33.Phonetic Symbol—Leo[229]
34.Phonetic Symbol—Porcella[230]
35.Phonetic Symbol—Nabira[230]
36.Wool-comber’s Implements[231]
37.Carpenter’s Implements[231]
38.Vine Dresser’s Tomb[232]
39.Symbolical Anchor[234]
40.Symbolical Ship[235]
41.Symbolical Palm andCrown[236]
42.Symbolical Doves[237]
43.Symbolical Dove[238]
44.Doves and Vase[238]
45.Locus Primi[238]
46.Symbolical Peacock[240]
47.The Good Shepherd[245]
48.Good Shepherd withSyrinx[246]
49.Symbolical Lamb[249]
50.Symbolical Fish[255]
51.Symbolical Fish[256]
52.Fish and Anchor[256]
53.Fish and Dove[256]
54.Eucharistic Symbol[256]
55.Constantinian Monogram[265]
56.Early Christian Seal[266]
57.Various Forms of Monogram[267]
58.Epitaph of Tasaris[267]
59.Opisthographæ[268]
60.Early Christian Seal[270]
61.Monogram and Cross[270]
62.The Temptation and Fall[284]
63.Adam and Eve Receivingtheir Sentence[285]
64.Noah in the Ark[286]
65.Noah in the Ark[287]
66.Noah in the Ark, fromSarcophagus[287]
67.Apamean Medal[288]
68.Sacrifice of Isaac[289]
69.Sacrifice of Isaac[289]
70.Moses on Horeb[290]
71.Moses Receiving the Law[290]
72.Moses and the Baskets ofManna[291]
73.Moses Striking the Rock[291]
74.Moses Striking the Rock[291]
75.The Sufferings of Job[293]
76.Ascension of Elijah[295]
77.The Three Hebrew Children[296]
78.The Three Hebrew Children[297]
79.The Three Hebrew Children[298]
80.Daniel in the Lions’ Den[299]
81.The Story of Jonah[300]
82.Jonah, Moses, and Oranti[301]
83.Jonah and the Great Fish[302]
84.Noah and Jonah[302]
85.Jonah’s Gourd[304]
86.Adoration of Magi[305]
87.Adoration of Magi[306]
88.Orante[309]
89.Supposed Madonna[311]
90.Earliest Madonna[312]
91.Christ with the Doctors[324]
92.Christ and the Womanof Samaria[325]
93.Paralytic Carrying Bed[325]
94.Woman with Issue ofBlood[326]
95.Miracle of Loaves andFishes[327]
96.Opening the Eyes of theBlind[327]
97.Christ Blessing a LittleChild[328]
98.Lazarus (rude)[330]
99.Lazarus (in fresco)[330]
100.Lazarus (in relief)[331]
101.Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem[331]
102.Peter’s Denial of Christ[332]
103.Pilate Washing hisHands[333]
104.Sculptured Sarcophagus[334]
105.Painted Chamber[339]
106.Oldest Extant Head ofChrist (mosaic)[347]
107.God Symbolized by aHand[356]
108.God as Pope[359]
109.Domestic Group in GiltGlass[366]
110.Reputed Martyr Relic[371]
111.Reputed Martyr Symbol[374]
112.Symbolical Lamp[377]
113.Symbolical Lamp[378]
114.Vases from the Catacombs[381]
115.Amphora from the Catacombs[382]
116.Earthen and Metal Vessels[383]
117.Early Christian Ring[385]
118.Early Christian Seal[385]
119.Impressions of Seals[386]
120.Children’s Toys[387]
121.Statue of Good Shepherd[390]
122.Epitaph of Gemella[401]
123.Epitaph of LiguriusSuccessus[402]
124.Epitaph of Domitius[402]
125.Epitaph Inverted[404]
126.Epitaph Reversed[404]
127.Epitaph of Cassta[405]
128.Triple Epitaph[405]
129.Belicia[500]
130.Chamber with Catechumens’Seats [531]
131.Baptismal Font[537]
132.Baptism of Our Lord[538]
133.Baptismal Scene[539]
134.Fresco of Early ChristianAgape[546]

BOOK FIRST.