Is the final resting place of a Roman emperor hidden beneath St. Peter's Basilica?
In short: In 1544, workers beneath St. Peter's Basilica unearthed the most opulent Roman burial ever found. While the treasures of Maria, wife of Emperor Honorius, were lost to theft and melting, the emperor's own tomb remains a mystery that might still be waiting to be discovered.
The discovery of Maria's sarcophagus in 1544 revealed a wealth of precious items, marking it as the richest Roman burial on record. However, the fate of these artifacts was swift; they were either stolen or destroyed shortly after being brought to light.
The location of Emperor Honorius's burial remains one of the great unresolved puzzles of Roman archaeology. As the last undiscovered tomb of a Roman emperor, its potential existence beneath the floor of St. Peter's Basilica continues to intrigue historians and researchers.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Roman Emperor buried under St Peter's Basilica
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-the-roman-emperor-buried-under-st-peter-s-basilica.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Ancient rome · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
