Our first stop along the Appian Way was at the catacombs of San Sebastian. Underneath the basilica (See photo above; built in 1612) are four levels of tombs constructed primarily by Christians. The catacombs of S Sebastian are significant for a variety of reasons. First, it is the earliest known site in Rome where Christians buried their dead in an organized fashion. Second, some of the earliest Christian symbols and art come from here . Third, during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Valerian (258-298), Christians hid the bones of Peter and Paul in these catacombs. You can see graffiti on the walls, written prayers to Peter and Paul.
I was interested in this catacomb in particular because it had the earliest fresco of the Good Shepherd (similar to the photo above; we were not allowed to take a picture of the actual one in the catacomb). Over the next two years I will be doing some more research on this and other frescoes in the catacombs of Rome, asking anew where the imagery comes from and what it meant to the early Christians. More anon. Below you will find a picture of our group taking a break from the heat. I am on the right in the light green shirt.
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