The Roman Houses of the Caelian Hill (Case Romane del Celio), is a significant archaeological site located beneath what is now the Basilica of Saints John and Paul in Rome. The houses mostly date back to the Roman Empire period, circa first to the fourth century CE. The complex was discovered in 1887 CE by Father Germano of St. Stanislaus, the basilica's rector, and consists of more than 20 subterranean rooms spread across multiple levels. Many of these spaces are adorned with frescoes that date from the 3rd century CE to the Middle Ages, reflecting the evolving use of the site over time.
The Caelian Hill, one of Rome's famed seven hills, was a prestigious residential area during the Roman Empire. The structures unearthed beneath the basilica date from the 2nd to the 4th century CE, encompassing approximately 20 rooms across multiple levels. These spaces have undergone various transformations, serving as private residences, commercial establishments, and places of Christian worship. Notably, tradition holds that Saints John and Paul, officers in Emperor Constantine's court, resided here and were martyred for their Christian faith in the 4th century CE.
circa 100-400 CE
The site's history reflects Rome's architectural evolution and the transition from paganism to Christianity. Initially, in the 2nd century CE, it featured a luxurious two-story domus with baths and living quarters. By the early 3rd century, this was replaced by an insula—a multi-story apartment building with ground-floor shops and upper-level residences. Later, between the late 3rd and early 4th centuries, the property was unified into a single opulent residence. In the latter half of the 4th century, it became associated with the martyrdom of Saints John and Paul, leading to the construction of the basilica above in the early 5th century by Senator Pammachius.
Notable areas within the complex include the Hall of the Genies, an elegant reception room adorned with opus sectile marble decorations depicting winged figures and harvest scenes, and the Oratory of the Saviour, a former portico room transformed into a 9th-century oratory featuring Christological frescoes. These spaces offer a unique glimpse into ancient Roman domestic architecture and early Christian art, illustrating the site's multifaceted history.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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