Dum peritura Getæ posuissent castra sub urbem,
Moverunt sanctis bella nefanda prius,
Totaque sacrilego verterunt corde sepulcra,
Martyribus quondam rite sacrata piis.
“Whilst the Goths had placed their camp, soon to perish, before the city, they first waged unhallowed war against the saints, and with sacrilegious mind destroyed whole sepulchres once solemnly consecrated to the pious martyrs.”
During the fifth and sixth centuries cemeteries were opened within the walls in consequence of the peril of venturing beyond the gates.
DIRVTA VIGILIVS NAM POSTHAEC PAPA GEMISCENS
HOSTIBVS EXPVLSIS OMNE NOVAVIT OPVS.—Inscr. in Lateran.
“Pope Vigilius, afterwards lamenting the demolished monuments, renewed the entire work after the expulsion of the enemy.”