Rudiments of ancient architecture, containing an historical account of the five orders, with their proportions, and examples of each from antiques also, extracts from Vitruvius, Pliny, &c. relative to the buildings of the ancients (London, 1810 (4. Aufl.))

124 PLA POR

Plat-band, any flat square moulding
with little projection ; the different fa-
cias of an architrave are called plat-
bands ; the same is applied to the list
between flutings, &c.

Plinth, the lower member of a base. See
Plates 9, 10.

Podium, a parapet, or fence wall. In the
amphitheatre I apprehend this name
denoted the front seats appropriated to
the senate, foreign ambassadors, the
Vestal Virgins, and the Emperor, and
was raised twelve or fifteen feet above
the arena. Also in a room, that part
which answers to a pedestal, and is
called the dado.

Pohch, an arched way, or covering at the
entrance of a great building particularly
to churches.

Portico, a continued range of columns
covered at top, to shelter from the wea-
ther; also, a common name to buildings
which had covered walks supported by
pillars ; having these distinctions, when
the portico was on the outside of the
building it was called peripterium ; and
when on the inside of a hall, court, &c.