DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42778#0145
TEMPLES, BASILICAS, AND THEATRES.
§5
through large doorways, so that they virtually constitute aisles.
The vault of these halls or aisles on the north side still exists, and
displays deep coffers all built in brick (Fig. 20). There were two
apses, one (added subsequently) opposite the later main entrance
in the centre of the south front, the other at the west end, opposite
the original entrance, which was at the east end, where there was a
portico one storey high. Above this were two rows of huge win-
dows, which gave light to the nave ; while the aisles were lighted
by two rows of windows (reduced to one on part of the north
side, where the level of the ground outside was higher). This great
vault is one of those instances to which reference has been made in
Chapter III as of construction by means of ribs of tiles, the inter-
stices (with which the large coffers coincide) being filled with lighter
material: this method was possible only with pozzolana ; and the
homogeneous nature of the vault is shown in the fact that an
immense mass of overhanging concrete has stood unmoved for ages.
Of provincial basilicas, that at Pompeii shows the simpler type
adopted, consisting of a central area enclosed by a single aisle,
§5
through large doorways, so that they virtually constitute aisles.
The vault of these halls or aisles on the north side still exists, and
displays deep coffers all built in brick (Fig. 20). There were two
apses, one (added subsequently) opposite the later main entrance
in the centre of the south front, the other at the west end, opposite
the original entrance, which was at the east end, where there was a
portico one storey high. Above this were two rows of huge win-
dows, which gave light to the nave ; while the aisles were lighted
by two rows of windows (reduced to one on part of the north
side, where the level of the ground outside was higher). This great
vault is one of those instances to which reference has been made in
Chapter III as of construction by means of ribs of tiles, the inter-
stices (with which the large coffers coincide) being filled with lighter
material: this method was possible only with pozzolana ; and the
homogeneous nature of the vault is shown in the fact that an
immense mass of overhanging concrete has stood unmoved for ages.
Of provincial basilicas, that at Pompeii shows the simpler type
adopted, consisting of a central area enclosed by a single aisle,