Explore Rome’s Best Underground Site

[@davidpescod7573]

This really is one of the great ‘archeological’ churches of Rome where one can start two thousand years ago and ascend through various stages to the present. Thanks for a wonderful presentation

[@DariusArya]

Yes, you are right! Absolutely important to visit!

[@mirkocaserta]

What a coincidence, I was there just yesterday. I can attest to the great job they are doing in the excavations/archaeology area as I was there a couple times in the '90s and it didn't look anything like what it looks like today. For instance the 4th century church area was still filled with debris at the time, you could see the frescoes but not much else. It's a great visit into a very unique place that allows you to "go back" in history in just a few minutes.

[@DariusArya]

Glad you liked it!

[@fieracarmen4713]

Fascinanta Roma și istoria ei multi milenară!

[@DariusArya]

Yes!!

[@mdsf01]

So much to see just in Rome alone. Thank you for bringing these treasures to light.

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dbstooge]

This is my most favorite church in Rome

[@froillainart]

Mine too. Big joy to see it here

[@JuliaWarzilek]

Einfach toll wie er das presentiert,, macht mich neugierig,, mein nächster kultururlaub ist schon mal geplant,,,,

[@JuliaWarzilek]

❤❤❤❤,,,,

[@rayhill5767]

Found this by accident on my first trip to Rome. Interesting church and then I noticed they were selling tickets and discovered the underground ruins. Really neat experience.

[@brucewatt1032]

I remember visiting this place more than ten years ago. Every layer of history is truly spectacular. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of just how breathtaking San Clemente is 👌

[@ChiefRxcka]

Same here I was there in 2009 I believe. Even though I've absolutely loved history my whole life, but I was so young back then I was unable to utilize my time as efficiently as possible, to see as much as possible. I can't wait to go back!!!

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Pandolcee]

Your channel is very informational and entertaining and has thought me a lot, and I signed up for the Ancient Rome live Virtual class because I am a History major in college and anything Ancient Rome related I immediately gravitate to, I cant go 30 seconds without going down a 5 hour rabbit hole on one subject.

[@Wyattinous]

I’ve always read of the Christian’s habit of building over Mithra’s temples among other converted religious sights. Though I don’t know to what extent that Mithraeum was set up for new visitors, how lucky to have so much preserved including Mythra’s imagery, I imagine someone would have smashed it. The geological layers of Rome is truly difficult to wrap my head around, even when it’s explained to me.

[@DariusArya]

Yes, there are a number of churches in Rome that sit over mithraea. Would love to cover more of the topic in future videos.

[@Wyattinous]

@DariusArya thank you for taking us along your travels. You and Toldinstone show us stuff most history channels tend to gloss over ❤️

[@jameshartz8086]

Thx again for your excellent presentations. I learn so much from each video.

[@DariusArya]

You are very welcome

[@photographedemode]

Thank you for all your videos, these virtual educational visits are wonderful !

[@DariusArya]

Thank you!

[@AntonioDellElceUK]

Thank you for all of your videos, Darius! Do you know if the Imperial Villa of Vicariello will undergo some restoration work in the future? It is sad to see that should such a large environment be completely abandoned.

[@DariusArya]

Not that I know of- let’s hope so!!

[@francinegodhelp-hazeveld2159]

Such a fascinating place, happy to see it again. Rome is the most fantastic place!

[@DariusArya]

I agree!

[@kathrynschenk7432]

You have done many terrific videos, but this one should be required viewing for anyone who plans to visit San Clemente. We visited the site (the churches?) a number of years ago and have been at a loss how to describe it to friends who intend to visit Rome. In the future, we will direct them to this video! Thank you!

[@pbohearn]

That was an amazing tour. Thank you so much! I was in Italy a little over a year ago did not know about this beautiful multilayered place of worship had a known I would’ve gone. I guess I need another trip back to Rome lol

[@Marco-zt6fz]

Awesome video Thanks Darius

[@RizzstrainingOrder66]

fr

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure!

[@RizzstrainingOrder66]

absolutely love your videos, please keep it going

[@DariusArya]

Thank you! Will do!

[@edcosgrove9730]

Oh Darius! Shhhh!!!! One of my favourite, non touristy places in Roma!

[@DariusArya]

It's well known- with new regulations, it's reservation only .

[@kaloarepo288]

I read once that Mithraic iconography is related to astronomy/astrology with the bull representing the constellation Taurus and then we have Scorpio and other star signs et cetera and the whole thing symbolizes the "presession of the equinox" -the process by which one star sign in the zodiac is gradually being overtaken by another because of earth tilts.

[@DariusArya]

I just touched on a very complicated subject. There are many theories about the cult, as you mentioned. It's a fascinating religion that I want to come back to in future videos.

[@muscledavis5434]

As far as I remember, there were no traces of fire destruction found in the lower church. Many old churches were burnt down in 1084, but for San Clemente there is the possibility that it was just so much in decay that while restoring the other churches they just restored this one, too. I absolutely love this church, it's such a fascinating building from a fascinating time (or multiple fascinating times!). I also love how, mostly in the papal states, there was at that time some kind of Renaissance 0.1. They started to make actual Roman-looking, not just Romanesque, buildings. For example in the courtyard before the church there are some spoliated ionic capitals, but also some 12th century copies! Where else did they make accurate ionic capitals in that time, deepest middle ages??? Fascinating!

[@DariusArya]

Yes - the Norman sack date is roughly coincidental… the church was falling apart!

[@andyroo9381]

Such a special place. I am left awestruck by this tiny church.

[@thejeffinvade]

I lived 50m away from this church when I stayed in Rome. But never got a chance to go inside. Thanks for the virtual trip.

[@DariusArya]

You must go back!

[@theoldar]

It's an amazing place. Everyone interested in ancient history or early Christianity should visit.

[@DariusArya]

Absolutely!

[@aalexander928]

Everything Darius shows us in his videos is fascinating as well as beautiful. Thank you again for this wonder on San Clemente. Are the Cyril & Methodius mentioned the same monks who took Greek Orthodox Christianity to the Russian people?

[@DariusArya]

They brought Christianity to the Slavic peoples

[@dianadavisbarton7523]

One of my favourite churches in Rome! I really enjoyed this video.

[@chowd.a.d.8309]

Fabulous work Darius. I have a wish of your clarification on the existing famous Rome buildings giant Bronze doors. It seems to be a variation in the history on these, some say this and other say that!. Bronze door in mind are Pantheon and San Giovanni in Laterano. Publilius Sysru. All the best.

[@mikki3961]

Grazie, I find your presentation refreshing.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

Great video! I hope that you shall write a book someday, with full color illustrations, based on your knowledge of these artefacts.

[@DariusArya]

That's a great idea!

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

The videos are quite good and they would be capped off by a book. Thanks again for the armchair travels to ancient Rome.@@DariusArya

[@jeanlandry5464]

J’ai visité cette magnifique église. C’est un voyage dans le temps ! Superbe !

[@mathshuygen7118]

Again a very fascinating video. Thank you for the amazing content!

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

I always enjoy your videos Darius...thank you for creating them. The idea that old structures were just filled in and new structures built on top of them is fascinating...I've seen videos of old Roman streets being excavated in the basements of modern(ish) buildings and the notion that one can simply walk down a flight of stairs and be 2000 years in the past seems so cool. If you're looking for more video idea, I'd certainly like to see more examples of this

[@DariusArya]

Yea this place is not unique but splendid in its preservation and access!

[@FlexibleFlyer50]

Always fascinating material. Learn something new every time we watch your presentations.

[@DariusArya]

Glad to hear it! Rome is endless!

[@DariusArya]

Glad to hear it!

[@ElizabethDMadison]

This is totally incredible. I am Catholic and know so many people who have been to Rome and obviously go to many of the historic churches and never heard anyone speak of this.

[@DariusArya]

It's a wonderful underground site- there are many more!

[@luciennedespota909]

Thank you for highlighting my fav. fav. fav. church in Rome!! Such a gem! Have you done a vid on the excavation under San Giovanni e Paulo? Maybe I missed it here.

[@DariusArya]

Not yet- on the list!

[@luciennedespota909]

looking forward to it....If you do a private tour of that site, please let me know! Will be there in July and Aug.@@DariusArya

[@dalmaticus9610]

Great sight! I understand emperor Marcus Aurelius may have been initiated in the Mithras cult. Perhaps he visited similar temples in the area as his childhood home were only some blocks away.

[@DariusArya]

What an idea! Definitely Mithras was quite popular with the army - though never a public temple in Rome…

[@josephpiskac2781]

Very interesting lucky you to know and to see these places.

[@Chrisjani11]

My wife and I are visiting from Hawaii in late August until early September. We would love to meet up with you, hoping that you will have some free time to pick your brain. We will concentrate on visiting most (if not all) of the Stational Churches. Thank you for your most amazing videos! Aloha.

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

I love how you take us to places un heard of!! Wonderful stuff. Thank you!

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure. San Clemente is actually quite popular. These days you have to reserve for your visit. Totally worth it (and keeps numbers pretty low during your hour long visit)

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure

[@drsmith9536]

Tempio incredibile. Saluti dalla Crimea! Abbiamo il monastero delle caverne Inkerman di San Clemente e il Tempio di Clemente a Chersoneso

[@DariusArya]

Grazie! Ho avuto dei colleghi che hanno scavato a Chersoneso anni fa (U. Texas a Austin project).

[@drsmith9536]

🔥🔥🔥@@DariusArya

[@MarthaArya-x1x]

I remember this church and look forward to visit it again next time I am in Rome.

[@nascarbryant]

I remember being there with my professor…. Thx for the remembrance!!!

[@DariusArya]

Nice!

[@bodnica]

Years ago I visited us church....amazing

[@AlannahRyane]

Fascinating! Love your exploration videos. Have you run across any mentions of where Messalina is buried... if she was buried?

[@DariusArya]

Hmmm ...

[@marthaarya167]

Lovely!

[@rjk58]

Hello Darius, thank you for another nice informative video. A suggestion for a next video: porti di claudio e di traiano, necropli di porti and, nearby, the museo navi romano. And how to get there by public transport.(You once said you already made a video about these places, but I can't find them). Regards

[@DariusArya]

Way ahead of you .. we have a series on Ostia on AncientRomeLive.org KZbin … have already filmed them - will appear on ARL for the most part …

[@alanzeleznikar]

Loved this. We've called this the "layer cake church" for decades now, it is one of my favorite places in Rome to show "newbies" the relationship between time and how far below the modern street level something is. Since you're asking, how about a similar exploration of Santa Agnese, or of Domitian's stadium in general?

[@Aldopetti]

Amazing video and information! I just discovered your channel and it is awesome! Many thanks for your great work!

[@markwriter2698]

Good job. Thank you.

[@silva7493]

Once again I am left speechless...

[@DariusArya]

Great place to explore!

[@DariusArya]

👍👍

[@moochythecat3435]

Beautiful....

[@michaelwhite9513]

In the second level church is that and early image of Mary Seat of Wisdom? In later ages, the child Jesus on sitting on Mary's lap gave the work its name

[@oceansharks]

Great job

[@davidolien2828]

Fantastic presentation. Thank you very much!

[@DariusArya]

Glad you liked it!

[@putraappm]

*Mithra* commonly known as Mehr or Mithras among Romans, is an ancient Iranian deity of covenants, light, oath, justice, the sun, contracts, and friendship..

[@JimMoriartySH]

Extraordinary, thanks for the presentation ! Do you know any other places where we can clearly see or explore on one site differents layers of history of Rome ? That kind of discovery really fascinates me !

[@fishbone2921]

Thank you . Your videos are fascinating.

[@DariusArya]

So nice of you

[@petersanders4884]

Really enjoyed this Vid 😀Thanks

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jean-philippelaugs4426]

Thanks. I love your videos. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Can you show us the tullianum / mamertinum?

[@DariusArya]

Sure thing!

[@jean-philippelaugs4426]

Maybe something on triumph ending there

[@hangman960]

Impressive,ive just been to Seville and visited Italica,have you been there Darius? i was very impressed

[@eddyderaedt3445]

Thank you Darius for this once again wonderful vidéo. Will check it out on my next trip to Rome. I wanted to ask you for thé underground theater in Ercolano, how can I obtain tickets ? I m visiting Pompei / Herculaneum area between 6/4 and 13/4 and would be nice if i could book this. Thank you for all your vidéos about ancient Rome.

[@DariusArya]

Thank you. Visits to the theater are not yet regular. You need to check with the official Herculaneum website.

[@PINE1berry]

There is a Saint Clement Church in Chicago that has the same decoration in the apse over the alter.

[@risatedarte5366]

San Clemente is the church I prefer. It's a travel back in time

[@paulhill3187]

I would like to understand how it was that some many Roman statues and busts have been handed down to us. In addition the decay and regeneration of the City's fabric is a fascinating subject but about which I can find very little. I do very much enjoy your 'off piste' reporting.

[@shib2352]

Going to Rome next month. Any recommendations for a reasonably priced place to stay?? Love your site!!

[@DariusArya]

Enjoy your time! Prices have really gone up, that's for sure. But aim to be as central as possible so you just need to walk- not transit!

[@scott6828]

What does the handwritten graffiti say that's carved on the Mithros alter @2:40?

[@LookingforRomans]

Thank you. I am planning my second trip to Rome, and it need to add this to my itinerary. Do you have a list of great sites that are not on the typical tourist agenda?

[@DariusArya]

Look at my videos! Also consult ancientromelive.org KZbin videos in past year!

[@horsepowerdude]

I visited the place in 2018 and absolutely loved it. I remember there being some sort of a late antique necropolis near the site. Am I correct? What is in there?

[@kendn01]

Amazing

[@KennethBSmith]

Have you explored the Mamertine Prison?

[@Марта-й7е]

В средновековната църква, вдясно от входа, има параклис на Св. Екатерина с великолепни мозайки във византийски стил. Благодаря за прекрасното видео! От BG

[@DariusArya]

Thank you!

[@macpduff2119]

Incredible

[@thevelikovskian6119]

Hi Darius, this is a fascinating video. Do you have any information on the archaeology of Constantinople before the massive building work ordered by emperor Constantine? From what I've heard, it was a major port and much construction was carried out by Septimius Severus. Does any of this work remain?

[@DariusArya]

Mostly later material - but I will cover more on the city at @ancientromelive

[@juanxaviersantossalvador2866]

Wow!

[@sixmax11]

at the 9:30 mark i noticed an anchor under the cross. what is the reason for this?

[@antofab]

The anchor is a Christian symbol as the cross, XP monogram, the fish,the lamb etc. etc ..The anchor is a weight that keeps the ship firm and safe and is therefore a symbol of steadfastness and faith. It represents the certainty of faith in Christ. Its connection with the sea evokes other Christological symbols such as that of the fish and recalls the idea of ​​the Church-Ship led by Christ and Peter.

[@MikeOtranto]

Is this a good representation of what ancient Roman temples would have looking like during the empire? As far as the color schemes in the mosaics and the frescos?

[@wilber2020]

I loved rome oh.i need to gp back

[@superdivemaster]

The question I have ... is that you said the lower area around the columns was filed in with earth ??? What was that ? Rocky conglomerate earth, or sandy type soil ??? So then all of it had to be excavated out from the entire depth under the surface ???

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

There are also claims that make Flavius Clemens the actual first pope and the church later inserting others to pad its history, interesting that the frescoes are all quite a bit younger. And an interesting look at the mithraeum, I call it the cult of the unknown soldier, that's what the cult image seems to invite for contemplation. It picks up greek stuff like the initiation to mysteries and even the Spartan shared meals. A good way to foster social cohesion among the legion and deal with the psychology of being a soldier. And not the only artificially engineered state-run religion in imperial Rome either.

[@DariusArya]

Yes it’s a fascinating site with a lot of speculation. Amazing to explore it every time ✌️

[@jmhatyoutube6283]

Wow!

[@WolfGrrl1]

Will you come to Dacia province of the Roman Empire?

[@susandelongis885]

What is a homas please?

[@marial8235]

I wonder how many Exorcisms and cleanings the Church performed on the Mithraeum?😮

[@bellalotario]

Damn finally Google suggest me something good

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

Which would you rather be:the Roman Emperor or a common soldier on the Roman frontier in North Britain?

[@DariusArya]

Neither!

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

@@DariusArya I would settle for command of my own legion and the Roman Fleet patrolling the Channel.Hopefully having better luck than usurper Admiral Emperor Carausius.

[@TRUTHRULES777]

Lucca Please

[@ElizabethDMadison]

Wait, what? LOL I don't really know Latin but I paused and tried to read the Latin marble plaque before you went down the stairs and it looks like it says something like the underground Mithraeum is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Joseph Mullooly, Dominican of the Irish Province. The Fr. Joe Memorial Mithraeum? I may be misreading it but am finding my misreading is hilarious.

[@ElizabethDMadison]

What would St Dominic say? That's a darned sight worse than Albigensians!

[@eksaangoyan9162]

❤

[@billlombard9911]

Lots of spolia , lots of people don’t know what that is

[@robertnewman4783]

Sts. Cyril and his brother Methodios were Greeks from Thessaloniki, not Slavic. They were sent to convert the Slavs.

[@RelojsuizoHdR]

I have been living all my life in this neighborhood but only visited this place a couple of times.

[@efthymiossofos6896]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_and_Methodius they were not slavic but Byzantine. Theologians working as missionaries in Slavic countries and playing a role in inventing the Slavic alphabet.

[@Cleander2010]

Yep. Byzantine Greeks from Salonika, the 2nd capital city of the Empire. Definitely NOT slavs.