Clivus and Mamertine

After the King Emmanuel II Monument, we went back around it to Clivus Argentarius, a relatively short, yet important road that connected the Roman Forum with the Capitol, and then goes downhill a bit towards the Imperial Forums.

Off of it is Mamertine Prison, which is where the Romans imprisoned Apostles Peter and Paul.  Parts of it are the prison and parts are a medieval church.  It is said that a fountain sprang up inside so Peter could convert and baptize his jailers, who were later martyred for their Christian beliefs.  

During Roman times it was called "Carcer" (the root of "incarceration") and later was named "Mamertine."  

San Giuseppe dei Falegnami is the medieval church built atop the prison, which was original a pagan sacred sight before it became the only prison in ancient Rome.  Once it became a prison, it was used for prisoners slated for execution, not for common criminals.  They were either throw off a high rock or strangled within the prison.

There are two main rooms to the prison, the Upper Chamber and, below it, the Tullianum, a circular room which is Latin for "Tullianum," (Editor: Or "Glen has no idea").

Hat tip to high school buddy Mark Ganung for recommending we go there.  It's not the most awesome place to visit, but it is of interest since Peter and Paul were both prisoners.

The church above Mamertine

Prison.  Taken from Clivus

Argentarius.

Part of the Forum, taken

from Clivus Argentarius.

Part of the circular room (Tullianum)

in Mamertine Prison.