The Roman Emperor buried under St Peters Basilica

The richest Roman burial ever discovered came to light in 1544, when workmen opened a granite sarcophagus under the floor of St. Peters Basilica. The sarcophagus contained the bones of Maria, wife of the Emperor Honorius, along with hundreds of precious items. The treasures of Marias tomb were quickly melted down or stolen. But the tomb of Honorius himself, the last undiscovered burial of a Roman emperor, may still be intact For much more on the hunt for the tombs of the Roman emperors, check out my book Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans.