CRYPTA VENERIS

Speranza

crypta, ae, f., = κρύπτη,

I 

a concealed, subterrunean passage

a vault

cavern

cave

grotto

pit, 

Varr. ap. Non. p. 169, 11; 

Suet. Calig. 58; Juv. 5, 106 al.

—As a place of deposit, Vitruvio. 6, 8.—

II Esp.: crypta Neapolitana, 

a dark grotto in the neighborhood of Naples, through which was a shorter passage to Puteoli, now Grotta di Napoli, 

Sen. Ep. 57, 1.