[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I thought everyone knew the Vatican was built over an ancient Roman Cemetery, where Peter was buried after he was crucified head down.

Great post and photos!

[Mike Fieschko]

I thought everyone knew the Vatican was built over an ancient Roman Cemetery, where Peter was buried after he was crucified head down.

This necropolis is a different one than the one with St Peter. St Peter's is below the basilica's foundations, this one outside the basilica.

current St Peter's Basilica, showing necropolis (brown).

[donmeaker]

I rather think that Peter was a myth.

Romans died long before the Xians came. They took many of their burial practices from the Etruscans, who had very elaborate burial chambers that can still be viewed today.

The Romans also took from the Etruscans their eating practices (lying down on couches). I always thought of the last supper as the disciples lying 4 and 5 to a couch (crowded: 3 to a couch was optimum). Gives an insight to John lying in Jesus bosom....