Among the most beautiful corners of all the Catacombs of Saints Peter and Marcellinus at the Via Casilina I must show you the polychromies, the geometric figures and the natural elements of this small, richly painted ravine: the one called Orpheus! What a wonder this small underground corner can be, capable, as all catacombs generally do, of showing us with simplicity and beauty that transition from a religion defined as pagan (by Christians) to a purely Christian one. As a tour guide and history lover I recommend you visit these truly exceptional catacombs of Rome. But why is this figure, this painted Orpheus, so interesting?

It is an arcosolium in which we find the famous character of Greek mythology, dressed in oriental style complete with a Parthian cap, red cloak and jacket closed with buttons. The colors, so vivid and lively, were applied to the wall surface at the beginning of the 4th century AD! After 1600 years the same colors are still here, bright and shiny. A true marvel. Orpheus is holding his famous lyre (left hand) and plectrum (right hand). It is also inserted in a bucolic and natural context, given by the shrubs and trees that surround it and by the animals. The question we can ask ourselves is: why is an openly mythological, therefore pagan, subject in a catacomb also used by the first Christian communities? Orpheus, especially in early Christian art, often came to be associated with Jesus. Just as the famous musician was capable of enchanting animals, plants and men (living beings in general), so Jesus, through his Word (which is the Word of God ), manages to bring harmony to Creation. A mix of instruments (music and voice), which however lead to the same result: a message of universal love and peace. But who was Orpheus really? There are various versions of the same myth, but the most popular one tells us that the famous musician was the son of Calliope, Muse of epic poetry, and of the king of Thrace Eagro (according to other versions his father was none other than the god Apollo ). However you want to look at it, it is certain that Orpheus was truly kissed by the Gods. The dual human soul is reflected in him: on the one hand the rational one which has its culmination in artistic production and creativity, elements in which Orpheus will excel with his music (therefore favored by Apollo, God of the arts and rationality), on the The other is the instinctive and almost wild one shown by Orpheus through his close contact and relationship with the natural world (very dear to Dionysus, god of wine and symbol of rebirth).

Orpheus was also the protagonist of the tragic love story with Eurydice, who was taken to the Underworld. He had the courage to go to the afterlife asking for her release, the pain of the loss was too strong. He was given only one chance to bring his beloved back to earth, and that chance, unfortunately, was lost due to Orpheus' imprudence. The condition was that the latter, on his way out of Hades, would never have to look back. And, as Ovid wrote, that was exactly what he did: "And now they were not far from the surface of the earth, when, fearing that she would not follow him, anxious to look at her, the enamored Orpheus turned: immediately she vanished into Avernus ; she tried, indeed, by stretching out her arms, to grasp him and be grasped, but alas, she grasped nothing other than the elusive air. Dying again she had no words of reproach for Orpheus (what should she have complained about, if not 'to be loved?); for the last time she said 'goodbye' to him, a farewell that barely reached his ears, and fell back into the abyss from which it rose". A tragedy without a shadow of a doubt, which however is forgotten here thanks to the wonderful colors that this Christ disguised as Orpheus. Here is another reason why visiting the Catacombs of Saints Peter and Marcellinus in Rome is an absolute priority.