Condemnation to the mines (, "to the mines") was a punishment that was most notably applied to senior Christian figures in the early Christian period in the Roman Empire, when it was called "Damnatio ad metalla". It was a penal sentence of forced labor in state owned mines often until death. It was also applied to slaves, war captives and criminals. Both Tertullian and Cyprian described it as a type of prolonged killing.
Notable figures who were punished with condemnation to the mines Pope Pontian (Saint) died in 235, condemned to mines in Sardinia Silvanus of Gaza (Bishop of Gaza) condemned to the copper mines of Phaeno Saints Peleus and Nilus, condemned to the copper mines of Phaeno
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