Location on Forum Plan
Via Sacra
Lapis Niger
Curia (Senate House)
Basilica Aemilia
Templum Antonini et Faustinae
Basilica Constantini
Templum Veneris et Romae
Arcus Titi
Regia
Atrium Vestae
Templum Vestae
Templum Juli
Templum Castoris
Basilica Julia
Templum Saturni
Tabularium
Templum Divi Vespasiani
Templum Concordiae
Lacus Curtius
Rostra
Miliarium Aureum
Arcus Septimii Serveri
Carcer (Prison) |
 Carcer
At the foot of the Capitoline Hill, between the Curia and
the Temple of Concord stood the Carcer, the only state prison of ancient
Rome. It is sometimes called the Mamertine Prison. The carcer was the upper
section in which prisoners could be held awaiting sentence. The underground
area of the prison was called the Tullianum where executions occurred when
they were not a public display. In early days, this lower level was probably
a spring house, hence the name Tullianum from the Latin tullus (spring).
The dungeon-like chamber had a vaulted roof of stone. Jugurtha,
Vercingetorix, the Catilinarian conspirators, and other enemies of Rome
were executed in the Tullianum. According to tradition, St. Peter and Paul
were confined here during the reign of Nero and reputedly St. Peter called
up the waters of the spring to baptize his jailers. |
