A cubiculum, from the Latin verb cubare meaning "to lie, to rest", was a burial chamber in the catacombs. This term was exclusively Christian; pagans used it to refer to secondary bedrooms, children's or guest bedrooms. The shape of this space varied: it could be circular, semi-circular, square, t...

An architectural element typical of Roman and Gothic architecture; they are formed of small drums in carved stone that form an ogive that makes up the structure of a vault, and divides its surface into several parts. Its function is to make the thrusts from the weight of the structure unload onto ...

The Solomonic column is a spiral twisted column already in use in the early Christian period. It is said that the original symbolic model of this element derives from the columns that adorned Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Particular importance was attributed to the Solomonic columns in St. Peter's...

The Latin poet Cicero was particularly impressed by this gloomy place, which he described in the fifth oration of his work In Verrem (Against Verres), as a stone prison with no way out, a place deep and closed in on itself: "You have all heard of the Syracusan stone-quarries. Many of you are acquai...

The cella (shrine), in Greek naos, is the heart of a Greek or Roman temple: the innermost room that housed the deity's statue and symbolically represented that god's house. For this reason it was forbidden to enter it except during particular festivities; only a few priests had regular access....

The orchestra is a circular-shaped part of an ancient theatre located at the base of the cavea, between the spectators on the steps and the stage. This space was dedicated to the choir performance. The choir members, called choralists, walked or danced together, commented using song on what was ha...

The cavea is the set of steps in an amphitheatre or theatre where spectators would sit to attend plays, games and other forms of entertainment. It is divided into sectors called "cunei". ...

The Cavea, koilon in greek, is the set of steps, divided into areas called "wedges", an amphitheater or a classical theater, where they took their seats for the spectators attend performances, games and other entertainment. [dettaglio_immagine id="18790"]...

According to the Holy Scriptures, all Jewish purification rites take place "per aquas" (by water). The water used for bathing must be very pure, and cannot be transported by hand or pipes. The mikveh must therefore be connected to a natural source or an aquifer; it can also be fed by rainwater or ...

Unleavened bread, i.e. bread with no yeast, is a type of bread prepared with grain flour and water, like all other bread, but without the fermentation process. Unleavened bread is used as a ritual food during Passover in memory of the hasty exodus from Egypt, during which, according to the Bible an...