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Biblical Themes in Catacomb Art
The ancient Christian art of the catacombs, as might well be expected, drew largely from biblical themes. Thus, in addition to images of contemporary saints and martyrs of the ancient Church, we find many representations of themes from the Bible. Here is a list of some of the biblical themes and scenes depicted, either in paintings or carvings.
Old Testament
Primordial & Patriarchal History of Genesis - the Word of God (in human form) creating things, the creation of Eve, Adam naming the animals, the temptation and Fall, the expulsion and toil of Adam and Eve, the offerings of Cain and Abel, Noah praying in an arca (the ark depicted as a box or chest), Noah's drunkeness, the flight of Lot from Sodom, the hospitality of Abraham at Mamre, the "sacrifice" of Isaac, Issac's meal and blessing of Jacob, Jacob's ladder, the dreams of Joseph, Joseph meets his brothers in Egypt, Jacob's household moves to Egypt, Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh
Era of Moses and the Exodus - the discovery of Moses by Pharoaoh's daughter, Moses and the burning bush, crossing the Red Sea, contention between the people and Moses & Aaron in the wilderness, Moses receiving the Law, the gift of manna, Moses striking the rock for water, the angel blocking Balaam's way, Balaam's prophecy of the star from Jacob (depicted pointing to a star), Phineas stabbing Zimri and Cozbi
Eras of the Judges and Kings - Samson kills a lion (including image of dead lion and bees), Samson burning the Philistines' fields, Samson slaying the Philistines, David with his sling, Absalom hanging from an oak, Elijah ascending in the chariot of fire with Elisha receiving the mantle (at least once with a reclining spectator on the right who owns a yoke, plow, and 2 oxen)
Other Writings - Jonah thrown overboard, Jonah spewed from the sea monster, Jonah reclining under his "booth" or with the withered plant, Job (either alone or with his wife nearby), Daniel praying in the lions' den, three youths refuse to worship an idol (usually depicted as an image of a Roman emperor), three youths praying in the fiery furnace (sometimes with the fourth figure, sometimes with a dove), Susanna accused by the wicked elders (once depicted as a sheep labelled "Susanna" between two wolves labelled "Senioris"), Susanna vindicated by Daniel, Tobias with Raphael the angel (and fish)
New Testament
The Gospels - The annunciation to Mary, Mary holding the infant Jesus (in her arms or lap; often under a star or praying), the shepherds visiting the infant Jesus, the Magi visiting the infant Jesus, John pouring water over Jesus in baptism (often with dove), the wedding at Cana, Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well, the Sermon on the Mount, the healed paralytic carrying his bed, the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, the healing of the blind man (Jesus laying hands on a man's head), the healing of the leper, the healing of the Gadarene demoniac (?), Jesus blessing children (?), the raising of Lazarus, the raising of Jairus' daughter, the raising of the widow's only son, the wise virgins go to the wedding banquet, loaves and fish, multiplication of loaves and fish, the Good Shepherd (varied pastoral images include the Shepherd holding, protecting, and feeding sheep; the Shepherd image is more frequent than any other), the denial of Peter, Pilate's hand washing, Jesus being beaten while wearing the crown of thorns, soldiers casting lots for Jesus' clothes (?)
The Acts and Christian Life - Peter baptizing Roman soldiers, baptisms next to fishermen ('fishers of men'), feasts (Eucharists, heavenly banquets, and funeral feasts), a man holding a book (perhaps the Old Testament or writings of an Apostle), a sheep treading on a serpent's tail (facing away from the serpent), Jesus the Judge (sometimes surrounded by accused people praying and saints acting as advocates, sheep, and/or books - i.e. the "Lamb's Book of Life"), majestic images of Jesus with Apostles and/or other saints
Combined Old & New Testament Themes
Moses striking the rock for water is sometimes combined with the image of Peter baptizing his jailers at Rome or the baptism of Cornelius. A single large figure represents Moses/Peter, and men dressed as Roman soldiers run to the water issuing from the rock.
Balaam's prophecy of the star from Jacob is sometimes combined with images of Mary holding the infant Jesus. Balaam (usually to the left) points to his prophesied star over Mary's head, which also recalls the star of the Magi.
Visual parallels between Daniel in the lions' den and Christ suffering on Calvary are sometimes drawn into the way Daniel is depicted.
Speclation: Could the reclining man depicted with Elijah and Elisha depict Jesus' saying about a man who sets his hand to the plow and then turns back?
Proximity of Old and New Testament images often reflects the way the Old Testament was typologically understood. Thus, images of Noah in the Flood and Moses striking the rock on either side of Jesus' baptism show that the ancient Christians believed those Old Testament stories prefigured the new sacrament of baptism.
Events and people in some scenes cannot be identified.
Sample Inscriptions
In many cases, inscriptions in the catacombs request the prayers of the martyrs and saints who have gone before. These requests were based on the firm Christian conviction that death could not separate people who are in Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Here are a few examples.
"Martyrs, holy, good, blessed, help Quiracus."
"Peter and Paul, help Primitivus, a sinner."
"Paul and Peter, have us in mind in your prayers, and more than us."
"Paul and Peter, pray for Victor."
"Januaria, take thy good refreshment, and make request for us."
Most of the information on this page is taken from The Catacombs: Rediscovered Monuments of Early Christianity by J. Stevenson (London: Thames & Hudson; 1978).
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