File:Architecture, classic and early Christian (1888) (14577558558).jpg

Identifier: architectureclas00smit (find matches)
Title: Architecture, classic and early Christian
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Smith, T. Roger (Thomas Roger), 1830-1903 Slater, John, 1847-1924
Subjects: Architecture Church architecture
Publisher: London : S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, Ltd., St. Dunstan's House, Fetter, Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries

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rows in front of these, while therewere also three rows in the rear: as the columns were ofthe Corinthan order, and nearly 60 ft. in height, it maybe imagined that it was a splendid edifice. The ruins of another magnificent provincial Romantemple exist at Baalbek—the ancient Heliopolis—in Syria,not far from Damascus. This building was erected durini^the time of the Antonines, probably by Antoninus Piushimself, and originally it must have been of very ex-tensive dimensions, the poitico alone being 180 ft. longand about 37 ft. deep. This gives access to a smallhexagonal court, on the western side of which a triplegateway opens into the Great Court, which is a vastquadrangle about 450 ft. long by 400 ft. broad, withranges of small chambers or niches on three sides, someof which evidently had at one time beautifully groinedroofs. At the western end of this court, on an artificialelevation, stand the remains of what is called the GreatTemple. This was originally 290 ft. long by 160 It,
Text Appearing After Image:
c4 7a eioO I b ROMAN; 151 wide, and had 54 columns supporting its roof, six onlyof which now remain erect. The height of these cohunns,including base and capital, is 75 ft., and their diameteris 7 ft. at base and about 6 ft. 6 in. at top; they areof the Corintliian order, and above them rises an ela-borately moulded entablature, 14 ft. in height. Each ofthe columns is composed of three stones only, secured bystrong iron cramps; and indeed one of the most strikingfeatures of this group of buildings is the colossal sizeof the stones used in their construction. The quarriesfrom Avhich these stones were hewn are close at hand,and in them is one stone surpassing all the others inmagnitude, its dimensions being 68 ft. by 14 ft. 2 in. by13 ft. 11 in. It is difficult to imagine what means canhave existed for transporting so huge a mass, the weightof which has been calculated at 1100 tons. ^ ^ oX_

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