The Christian Catacombs of Rome: History, Images, Inscriptions - Softcover

Fiocchi Nicolai, Vincenzo; Bisconti (†), Fabrizio; Mazzoleni, Danilo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 379543968X ISBN 13: 9783795439682

Publisher: Schnell & Steiner GmbH, Verlag, 2025

Synopsis

The fourth, completely revised and updated edition of a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work on the Christian catacombs of Rome, which presents current knowledge about the catacombs in a clear, comprehensive and up-to-date manner. The Christian catacombs are important for the history of Early Christian art, as they contain the great majority of examples from before about 400 AD, in fresco and sculpture.

Three leading experts, who have been familiar with the subject for decades, as professors at Roman universities, describe the topography, iconography and epigraphy of the catacombs. Vincenzo Fiocchi Nicolai discusses the origin and development of the catacombs from their creation in the Severan era to their abandonment and decline in the early Middle Ages. Fabrizio Bisconti's looks at the paintings of the catacombs, focusing on pagan and Christian pictorial themes and their mutual influence. Danilo Mazzoleni examines the content of the funerary inscriptions, providing fascinating insights into the daily life of the early Christians.

This new edition contains a revised and updated bibliography, as well as additional, higher quality images where necessary, in some cases reflecting new restoration work. The book is intended for students and scholars of Christian archaeology and antiquity, and of course for visitors to Rome.

In 2025, the number of Roman catacombs open to the public has been increased. They are among the most important testimonies to early Christianity and are also the site of numerous martyrs' graves.

About this title

About the Author

Vincenzo Fiocchi Nicolai is Professor of Christian Archaeology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and teaches Archaeology at the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology.

Fabrizio Bisconti was Professor of Late Antique Archaeology and Christian and Medieval Iconography at the University of Roma Tre, and of Christian Iconography at the Pontifical Institute.

Danilo Mazzoleni is Professor Emeritus of Classical and Christian Epigraphy at the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology; he taught Christian Archaeology at the University of Roma Tre and at the Pontificia Università Lateranense.

Edition details

• Publisher: Schnell & Steiner GmbH, Verlag
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 379543968X
• ISBN 13: 9783795439682
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 256