[NSCBIPTIONS AND DRAWINGS FROM ROMAN CATACOMBS. 105 



I. In the variety of religions which it tolerated, provided 

 they acknowledged the divine supremacy of Caesar, liome was 

 perhaps the most polytheistic city that has ever existed. Into 

 this " sentina gentium " came the strict monotheism which the 

 Christians fearlessly acknowledged and the purity of life which 

 they practised. An early inscription in the Catacomb of 

 Domatilla runs, "May the only Cod guard thy soul." The 

 Pagan letters D.M. were used with a new interpretation, "Deo 

 Maximo," and this was applied to Christ. Another inscription 

 refers to the " Divine Kingdom of Jesus Christ." He is 

 frequently represented as the Good Shepherd watching sheep 

 and goats. The familiar symbol of the Fish spoke of Him as 

 " Son of God, Saviour." In several cases He is figured in the 

 act of calling Lazarus from the grave. And the Johannine 

 emblem of Alpha and Omega is common. Though references 

 to the Holy Spirit are rare, a beautiful Greek inscription in the 

 National Museum speaks of one who "lies here in the Holy 

 Spirit of God." 



II. Eeferences to the character which Christian faith pro- 

 duced are very frequent, and making all allowances for the 

 exaggeration of love, are very suggestive. 



In the Cemetery of Callistus a Greek inscription represents 

 one Septimius using the Pauline phrase " Servant of God," and 

 saying "Having lived worthily (also Pauline) I do not regret 

 that I have served Thee, and I shall give thanks to Thy 

 Name." 



Another in Latin from the same place, with a date in the 4th 

 century, runs : " To Secunda, well deserving, of wondrous 

 goodness, who lived chastely in the pure faith twenty years. 

 She died in peace, a faithful maiden, on the Ides of July. She 

 will be at rest. A dove without gall." 



Another about the same date is described as "of wondrous 

 innocence and of the old faith, as God wills." 



Sometimes the stone bears an inscribed figure with uplifted 

 hands in the attitude of prayer. 



III. Invariably the thought of the after life is that of peace, 

 rest, and refreshment, and such brief inscriptions as the 

 following are very common : — 



" Agape, thou shalt live for ever." 

 " God shall refresh thy spirit." 

 " Gemella sleeps in peace." 

 ** Arethusa is in God." 



Other instances are characteristic of many — 



