An exposition of the dangers of interment in cities; illustrated by an account of the funeral rites and customs of the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and primitive Christians; by ancient and modern ecclesiastical canons, civil statutes, and municipal regulations; and by chemical and physical principles. Chiefly from the works of Vicq d'Azyr ... and Prof. Scipione Piattoli ... / with additons by Felix Pascalis.

  • Pascalis Ouviere, Felix, 1762-1833.
Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An exposition of the dangers of interment in cities; illustrated by an account of the funeral rites and customs of the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and primitive Christians; by ancient and modern ecclesiastical canons, civil statutes, and municipal regulations; and by chemical and physical principles. Chiefly from the works of Vicq d'Azyr ... and Prof. Scipione Piattoli ... / with additons by Felix Pascalis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    > silence of the grave. The spirit and intention of these practices were, of course, wholly incompati¬ ble with the profanation of the temples of the gods, with w hat they accounted unclean; no priest would have any connexion with funeral affairs, deeming it an act of impurity or contamination to touch or to look upon what belonged to the infernal regions and deities. (15) These are all subjects for the classic or literary critic, or the antiquary ; but our inquiries into their causes and practical applica¬ tion will show, that they were occasioned and sanc¬ tioned by a wish for the promotion of the public welfare, and the preservation of health. Numa Pompilius was buried on the Janiculine hill, not then enclosed within the walls. 1 he suc¬ ceeding kings were buried in the Campus Martins, a large plain along the Tiber. But these places, where many valiant and illustrious persons who had deserved the gratitude of the public had been deposited, were at a distance from the city, which then had only three or four gates. Valerius Pub- licola and Tubertus obtained the honour of inter¬ ment in Rome; with the former of these it extended to his posterity : but no such distinction was after¬ wards granted except on account ofgreat services rendered to the nation. It is well ascertained that ancient Rome permitted none of her citizens to be interred within her walls, save the vestal virgins, who enjoyed singularhonours and privileges, unless they had violated their vows, in which case they were buried alive in the Carnpvs Sceleratus, the field of execration.