San Clemente Mithraeum, Underground temple in Basilica of San Clemente, Rome, Italy.
The San Clemente Mithraeum is an underground temple beneath the Basilica of San Clemente, featuring a rectangular hall with two parallel benches lining the sides and a central corridor that leads to an altar space. The sanctuary sits several levels below street level and displays the typical layout of these ancient religious structures.
The temple was discovered in 1867, but excavations were halted due to water issues and resumed in 1914 after drainage tunnels were constructed. This ancient sanctuary dates to the 2nd and 3rd centuries and provides evidence of the religious diversity that existed in Roman Rome.
The temple served as a gathering space for worshippers of Mithras, a deity widely revered among Roman soldiers and merchants during the imperial period. Visitors walking through today can see where these followers came together to perform their religious ceremonies.
Visitors enter through the Basilica of San Clemente and descend multiple levels below street level to reach this underground sanctuary. The space can be narrow and dimly lit, so comfortable footwear and a small flashlight are helpful for exploring.
Inscriptions within the temple mention Cnaeus Arrius Claudianus and Aelius Sabinus, names of specific worshippers from the third century that reveal the private lives of this ancient religious community. These personal names allow visitors to connect with the actual individuals who prayed at this sacred site.
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