GETTY The secret underground pagan worship room with blood-red walls built by a mysterious long-lost cult

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The stunning underground basilica has been unveiled for the first time in 2,000 years after its eerie discovery under Roman ruins. The esoteric cult church room, which predates Christainity, is the only one of its kind in the world.

The incredible space was uncovered by accident in 1917 and features gods and cherubs lavishly etched onto its walls. The architectural site, built as a place of worship for a pagan cult in Rome, 40ft below the city, has long baffled historians. Some of the gods and classical heroes identified on the walls include Achilles, Orpheus, Paris and Hercules. At the entrance is a head of Medusa and, inside, the walls are painted red at the base, alongside images of centaurs, griffins and satyrs.

IG The esoteric cult church room, which predates Christainity, is the only one of its kind in the world

IG The cult was branded as 'occult worshippers' and followers of 'illicit rites'.

Now, historians believe that the room was built by the influential Statilius family for followers of Neopythagoreanism, a mystical school of Hellenistic philosophy that preached asceticism. The little-known cult was based on the writings and doctrines of Pythagoras and Plato. But, the mother of Emperor Nero, Agrippina, accused the family of black magic and the head of the family Titus Statilius Taurus was investigated by the Senate. The ruthless mother also branded the cult as 'occult worshippers' and followers of 'illicit rites'.

IG The chamber space has been painstakingly restored over the past decade

Titus Statilius Taurus claimed innocence but committed suicide in AD53 as the cult was hunted down and destroyed. Dr Giovanna Bandini, the director of the site, explained: "There were lots of cults worshipped at the time and the empire was in general fairly tolerant towards them. "But this one was seen as a threat because it discounted the idea of the emperor as a divine mediator between mortals and the gods.” Dr Bandini added: "This place is unique in the Roman world in terms of its architecture and design. It was a precursor to the basilicas built during the Christian era, centuries later."