The tomb at the entrance dates from the reign of Trajan, and contained
the remains of SS. Nereus and Achilleus; also of Petronilla, a member
of the Aurelii family. The saints were the servants of Domitilla, a
daughter or niece of Flavius Clemens, the first of imperial blood who
suffered martyrdom. Domitilla opened this tomb, which afterwards
became a general catacomb, for the remains of her servants. This is
the most ancient Christian catacomb, as may be seen from the paintings
and brickwork of the vestibule. The present entrance is modern; the
catacomb is interesting for its paintings. In 1874 the