This school of mystical Hellenistic philosophy preached asceticism and was based on the works of Pythagoras and Plato.

The underground chamber was discovered accidentally in 1917 during the construction of a railway line from Rome to Cassino.

The then head of the family, Titus Statilius Taurus, was accused by the Senate for what Tacitus in his Annals called "addiction to magical superstitions".

[8] Originally the basilica was entered through a long downhill entrance from the Prenestina Street, and through a vestibule.

[10] Media related to Porta Maggiore underground basilica at Wikimedia Commons