An inscription found in the excavations, bearing the name of Pope Nicholas II., shows that this basilica was perfect in 1061, when Nicholas died, so that it could not have been destroyed, as some think, by the earthquake of 896; but it was ruined in 1084, when Robert Guiscard burned all the public buildings from the Lateran to the Capitol, when he came to the rescue of Pope Gregory VII. The ruin seems to have been purposely filled in by the builders of the upper church, and all the fittings possible removed into the latter, which, from the nature of its walls, was evidently constructed in haste, and before 1099, as Paschal II. was elected pope there on August 13th of that year. The lower church was discovered in 1857, when Father Mullooly was making some repairs in the church above. It consists of a nave and two aisles, formed by a line of ancient columns of various marbles: the space between each column has been built up to support the foundations of the church above. In descending, the walls are covered with ancient fragments, and a small statue of the Good Pastor, found in making the excavations; as also the two sarcophagi and other fragments in the portico of the ancient basilica. At the entrance, on the left hand, is a painting of an ancient female figure, and a male head on the opposite wall; a little further, on the left, Christ surrounded with Saints, giving his benediction in the Greek manner; opposite, the Miracle at the Tomb of S. Clement at Cherson.[15] THE ANGEL IS PREPARING THAT TOMB SUBMERGED IN THE SEA. BEHOLD UNHURT HE LIES WHOM HIS RETURNING MOTHER SEEKS AGAIN. IN THE NAME OF THE Portrait of S. Clement. LORD, I, BENO DE RAPIZA,[16] FOR THE LOVE OF BLESSED SEEKING ME IN PRAYER, CLEMENT AND THE BEWARE OF HURTFUL THINGS. SALVATION OF MY SOUL, HAD IT PAINTED. Further along, translation of the relics of S. Clement from the Vatican to this basilica:-- FOR ALL AGES: MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE EVER WITH YOU. --HITHER FROM THE VATICAN IS BORNE (NICHOLAS BEING POPE) WITH DIVINE HYMNS WHAT WITH AROMATICS HE BURIED. --I, MARIA MACELLARIA, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND REDEMPTION OF MY SOUL, HAD IT PAINTED. _Right, north aisle_, right hand wall, painting of S. Catherine; further on, in a niche, Virgin and Child, with two females, SS. Catherine and Euphemia; below, Abraham and Isaac; at the top, Head of our Lord; beyond, a Council; the next, above the steps of the tribune, Christ in the act of giving the Benediction; just beyond, an inscription:-- WHOEVER READS THESE LETTERS OF MY NAME, LET HIM SAY, GOD HAVE MERCY ON UNWORTHY JOHN.