This ascription is altogether a mistake. Helena was buried in the city
of New Rome (Constantinople), and not outside ancient Rome. "Her
remains were conveyed to New Rome, and deposited in the imperial
sepulchres" (Socrates, E. H., i. 17). The sarcophagus found here is
more likely, from its reliefs, to have been that of a soldier than a
woman. The sarcophagus, of red porphyry, is now in the Hall of the
Greek Cross in the Vatican. The remains of the tomb consist of a
circular hall with eight circular recesses. A church, dedicated to SS.
Peter and Marcellinus, stands within it, beneath which are the
catacombs of these saints. At the sixth mile is TORRE NUOVA,
surrounded by pine and mulberry trees. At the Osteria di Finacchio
(ninth mile) a by-road leads to the Osteria dell'Osa, on the Via
Gabina (two miles). _Visitors leave their carriage here, and order it
to go two miles further on, to_ (_opposite_) _Castiglione, on the Via
Prænestina, where they meet it after visiting_