heroic martyrs rested. When, however, the precious treasure of these saints' remains was removed to the securer shelter of the metropolis hard by, S. Priscilla's Catacomb and Basilica were soon forgotten.
There is, alas! little left of the basilica of S. Sylvester; its very existence was unknown until De Rossi discovered its ruins in 1889. The subterranean crypt and corridors and baptisteries have fared better than the basilica built above them, and have already provided an almost inexhaustible mine of riches for the antiquarian, the theologian, and the historian; and in coming years, when further investigations in this vast historical cemetery are carried out, discoveries of a yet greater interest may be looked for—discoveries, to use the words of the latest toiler in S. Priscilla, which may tell us more of the "passing by" of S. Peter in this venerable home of so many and such varied sacred memories.
VIII
The Via Salaria Vetus and Via Flaminia
Cemetery of S. Pamphilus.—S. Pamphilus, we learn from the Itineraries, was a martyr; nothing, however, is known of his history.
The cemetery has not been thoroughly explored. It is, however, of some importance. Several galleries have been partially examined—but with some risk.
The Via Salaria Vetus, by the side of which this Catacomb, is situated, branches off from the Via Pinciana on the north of the city.
Cemetery of S. Hermes and S. Basilissa is on the same road, a little farther from the city.
The "Acts of S. Hermes" are not accepted as belonging to the very early date (A.D. 119—when Hadrian was Emperor) of the martyrdom, the particular event they profess to relate. These Acts relate that Hermes was a Prefect of Rome. No such name occurs in the lists of Prefects. It has been suggested, however, that he was an official of the Prefect.
The remains of a very considerable basilica have been
