CAVE, any large subterranean hollow. Caves were probably the primitive habitations, before men began to build edifices above ground. The primitive method of burial was also to deposit the bodies in caves; which seems to have been the origin of catacombs. Caves long continued the proper habitations of shepherds. Among the Romans, the antra used to be consecrated to nymphs, who were worshipped in caves, as other gods were in temples. The Persians also worshipped their god Mithras in a natural cave consecrated for the purpose by Zoroaster. The cave of the nymph Egeria is still shown at Rome.