Persecutions of early Christians resulted in martyrdom for many. One of the earliest persecutions was under the Emperor Nero (64 AD). Bust of Nero, the Museum at Corinth.

The town and surroundings of Alberobello in Southern Italy maintains the ancient practice of creating tholoid structures with unmortared stone. Stepped tholos in Alberobello, Southern Italy.

Even as the fastigium implied the presence of a deity, so the domical reception hall immediately behind it reinforced the concept of celestial power. Shot of the reception hall behind the fastigium of Diocletian's palace.

As we move toward an understanding of the transition from martyrdom to the veneration of martyrs we can do so through an understanding of the iconography of the martyr-hero in terms of feast, image, heroa, and dome. Here ...

Interior of Sant'Agnese showing the balcony for the catechumens.

The domical shape of the tholos was understood to be a representation of the heavens and thus of eternity, divinity, and power. Tholoid-shaped homes in Alberobello, Southern Italy.

Details of exquisite carving of the capitals in the cathedral. Carved capitals in the Split Cathedral.

Reliquary of Sant' Agnese directly below the altar on the floor above.

Model of projected shelter for refrigeria at site for mausolea.

Porphyry sarcophagus of Santa Constanza, daughter of emperor Constantine.