See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamertine_Prison
Also notice the miniature picture of Michelangelo's La Pieta on top of the altar.
2006-10-25 09:04:53 · 3 answers · asked by operacionclandestina 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
The cross is the "Cross of St. Peter".
St. Peter was crucified by the Romans but it is said that he felt he was unworthy to die in the same way as Christ and therefore was crucified upside down.
This is a quote from Eusebius (historian born 260AD),
"Peter appears to have preached in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia to the Jews of the dispersion. And at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head-downwards; for he had requested that he might suffer in this way…. These facts are related by Origen in the third volume of his Commentary on Genesis."
2006-10-25 09:39:21 · answer #1 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you ask, the article itself mentions that the cross is inverted in memory of Simon "the Rock" Peter, who is traditionally said to have been crucified upside down, even though the Tullianum is not where he was held, and the execution would have taken place in the Gardens of the Domus Aurea.
2006-10-25 09:41:21 · answer #2 · answered by Svartalf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's the place where St Peter was crucified upside down. It's just to mark the fact he was persecuted.
2006-10-25 09:35:02 · answer #3 · answered by joey00049 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋