correct. One detail, however, in these ancient "Pilgrim Itineraries" has not received the attention it deserved, and which in a most striking way confirms the point urged above, that the numbers of martyrs in Rome (for we are dwelling here especially on Rome) has been greatly underrated by most historians.
I
We will briefly glance through the testimony of the "Itineraries" on this point, touching upon each of the principal Catacombs in order. As a rule the "Pilgrim Itineraries" class the different groups of cemeteries (Catacombs) under the different heading of the Roman road in the immediate vicinity of which they were excavated. Thus cemeteries are classed together which are situated on the "Via Aurelia," the "Via Portuensis," the "Via Appia," the "Via Salaria Nova," etc. This topographical arrangement was drawn up evidently for the convenience of these pilgrim travellers, who were thus guided in turn round the principal shrines.
On the Right Bank of the Tiber in the
Trastevere Quarter
The Via Vaticana. (The Vatican Cemetery.) The allusion referred to here is to the crypts existing beneath the great basilica of S. Peter.—"No man knows what the number is of the holy martyrs who rest in this Church" (Etenim nullus hominum scit numerum sanctorum Martyrum qui in eadem ecclesia pausant).—Itinerary of William of Malmesbury.
This "Guide" was probably published for the use of the Crusaders. It was evidently made from a much older document, for many of the shrines alluded to in it belonged to Catacombs which in William of Malmesbury's time had been long forgotten.
The Via Aurelia. (The road leading to Civita Vecchia.)
After speaking of the shrines of certain celebrated
confessors buried in a cemetery hard by this road, we
