Death_of_Peter_at_Vatican_Hill Saint_Peter's_tomb

crucifixion of st. peter caravaggio

the earliest reference saint peter s death in letter of clement, bishop of rome, corinthians (1 clement, a.k.a. letter corinthians, written c. 96 ad). historian eusebius, contemporary of constantine, wrote peter came rome, , crucified head downwards, attributing information earlier theologian origen, died c. 254 ad. st. peter s martyrdom traditionally depicted in religious iconography crucifixion head pointed downward.

peter s place , manner of death mentioned tertullian (c. 160-220) in scorpiace, death said take place during christian persecutions nero. tacitus (56-117) describes persecution of christians in annals, though not mention peter. torn dogs , perished, or nailed crosses, or doomed flames , burnt. furthermore, tertullian says these events took place in imperial gardens near circus of nero. no other area have been available public persecutions after great fire of rome destroyed circus maximus , of rest of city in year 64 ad.

this account supported other sources. in passion of peter , paul, dating fifth century, crucifixion of peter recounted. while stories apocryphal, based on earlier material, helpful topographical reasons. reads, holy men ... took down body secretly , put under terebinth tree near naumachia, in place called vatican. place called naumachia artificial lake within circus of nero naval battles reenacted audience. place called vatican @ time hill next complex , next tiber river, featuring cemetery of both christian , pagan tombs.