Hypogeum of Via Giovanni Lanza

In 1883, during the works to improve the road system of the Esquilino district, at number 128 of via G. Lanza, behind the church of San Martino ai Monti, some structures belonging to a rich domus of late ancient times were identified, probably from the Constantinian era. In particular, in the rooms once used as a cellar, reachable through a door and two flights of stairs, a small domestic aedicule was discovered with the cult statues still present.

This last room, used as a lararium in the 4th century domus, was created from the transformation of a private Isiac chapel from the 2nd century. A.D. The lararium consisted of an aedicule in which a statue of Isis-Fortuna and several busts and statuettes of other deities of Greco-Roman or Egyptian gods such as Serapis, Hercules, Horus-Harpocrates, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Apollo, Hecate, were kept. Cybele and some statuettes of domestic lares. The structure, which has been identified as a Mithraeum, shows traces of various alterations already in ancient times. Inside, an overturned Ionic capital placed on a base is still visible, probably used as a small altar for the veneration of deities. Several niches were created in the walls of the room where oil lamps were placed.

The appearance of the aedicule at the time of discovery is still visible thanks to the lithograph by Luigi Ronci who drew it before the material was dispersed.

Photo credits: Capitoline Superintendency