The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-04-11
Remarkable Discovery at Rome,
THE PALACE OF THE cEsARs AN EVIDENCE
OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY.

Cass, Jr., TO Rev. Mr.. Dufield, of Detroit.
From this letter we make the following in
teresting extracts:
.-.-.... .... MILAN, February IA, 1860.
REV. GEORGE DuFFIELp, D. D.-Dear
Sir In ful6llment of my promise, pro-
ceed to give you brief account OF the dis
covery, at Rome, of an ancient representa-.
ton of a crucifx.
In the progress of the excavations on the
Pnlatin, where stood the House of Gold OF
the Caesars, the fragment of an arch, cover
eC with inscriptions and delineations, was
brought to view. Further explorations in
the same direction resulted in the exposure
of room, on the walls Of which was found
a sketch, cut or engraved with sharp point
ed instrument, Of cruciix, together with a
figure OF a mOn in the attitude Of prayer,
standing near it. The announcement of
this discovery created great interest. By
order Of the Pope, the design was removed
from its position, happily without injury, and
con6ded to vhe care Of Monsignore Macchi,
who invited me to inspect it, and by whose
permission procured a copy to be made,
which is herewith enclosed. 1t is needless
to say that this event has ELECTED elaborate
speculatioDs. Notwithstanding general
discrepancy, the conflicting views concur
with scarcely an exception in the cont clusion,
that the aim of the sketch was to cast ridi.
cule on the worship Of the Christians. 1t
presents the outlines of a cross, on which is
a human figure bearing the head of an ass.
A tuuic envelopes the wait, and the arms
and legs are partially covered with band
dage. To the left, with one hand raised
in position Of alteration, as depicted on
ancient monuments, appears the form q
J. man, while below is seen the follow inscrip
ton, "Alexander adores God" The exc
cution OF the engraving, as you will perceive
from the fac Simile, of which the scale il
one fourth smaller than that of the original
: indicates an entire ignorance of art, being
stiff and hard, without ease or grace what
ever. Satisfactory evidence refers The date
of it to the reign of Septimus Severus.-
, There were numerous Christians in his
court, one of whom it is supposed of the
r name Of Alexander, was thus exposed tc
e ridicule by his Pagan associate or compan
r ion.
: Familiar as you are with the early history
s of our religion, it is unnecessary to recall t.
It your recollection the existence of the legend
- current throughout the Roman dominions ir
3 the days of the Empire, that the Christians
Il worshipped Divinity whose head differed
u in no respect from that of an ass. In Afri
l. ca, then filled with rich and splendid cities
b this was the popular belief. TWAS inculca
/; ted in the Msgian school Of Asia, from th
e sands OF Parthia to the Psidian forests, an
9 leveIed At the converts TO the strange fait
in the streets of Narheodea, Amida an
Mardin. 20 n the Hill. The later Gnostics il
If particular, more especially the sects o
e Bardesanes, omitted no occasion to dissent
!, nate this caumny, accompanied with ever
epithet OF contempt and detestation. A
j, Orfa it was proclaimed from the throne t
o the sound Of trumpets, followed by deere
prohibiting the use of arms and the Arobi
language TO the worshippers of the God O
a Nazareth, and requiring them thenceforth t
" wear girdes of leather in token Of their OBJ
noxious creed. We meet with it in tn
a, writings Of Tucitus, bitter and relentles
I'd enemy to the Christians, whom he style
outcasts of the human race. 1t is also allu
|, ded to in the pages of the cotemporary Fa
:. Tiers, by whom it was repelled with vehe
ment and irrepressible indignation. TIL
!? origin of this monstrous invention is lost t
US. There can be little doubt, however
Id that 1t had it's foundation in the hatred wit
IN which the disciples of the pure and spiritua
3. doctrine were invariably regarded by tn
- idoatrous nations among whom they lived
al But whatever the source, the first msntio
'n] of this calumny occurs in the records rela
ting to the period intervening between tn
l. years one hundred twenty and two hundre
a fifty Of our era, subsequent to which epoc
= oil trace of it disappears.
Precisely during the same period the ROOF
ID in which the design was found was cor
IN structed. The palace OF the Caesars on th
ft Palatin, as you are aware, was the growt
of successive reigns. That part OF it whic
embraces the chamber in question was bui
e. by Hadrian, as the bricks Of which it
chiefly composed attest. They are impres
K ed with the names and titles of the Consu
is Pactinus and Apronicanus. This coinc
dence--the prevalence Of the legend In II
years already mentioned. and during th
period only, and the erection within the san
p time Of the wall on which the drawing
traced d-establishe satisfactorily, the pu
, pose Of the sketch, as well as the date Of |
execution. Still more conclusive, perhap
l lie the manuer In which the figure upon Il
hn cross 10 presented to view. 1t is dslineatt
Dr., with drapery, while it was the invariab