DOI article:
Waldstein, Charles: [Excavations and discoveries at Eretria, 1891-1895]
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8681#0093
THE ST A OE-B UTLDIXG OF THE THEATRE OF ERETRIA. 81
ing the walls I shall follow the historical development as being at the
same time the true order and in this case the simplest.
Turning to the plan, it appears at a glance that there exists a close
resemblance in plan between the two parts of the stage-building divided
by the great central passage QQ. This vaulted passage, the bottom
of which is on a level with the orchestra, lies under the floor-surface
of the stage-building. Over the vault and within the south wall we
have a chamber (in) 6.33 m. by 3.90 m. This is flanked on either
side by chambers (n and iv) of the same size, and those again by long
and narrow chambers (i and v) extending five metres and a half
beyond the others toward the front. The outline (AATABBEZ) is a
long and narrow building with wings projecting forward. The founda-
tion of this building consists of coarse poros blocks averaging 1.30 m.
in length, 0.68 m. in width and 0.46 m. in height. The blocks are
laid lengthwise except in the south wall of chambers I and ec. At
this point, the ground being lower, the foundation consists of two
courses, and, to obtain greater solidity, the blocks in one lie crosswise
and are moreover supported by buttresses where the partition-walls
meet the south wall. As the ground gradually rises toward the west, the
foundations go deeper. The stones are well cut and fitted, though no
great pains were taken to form an even surface in foundations intended
to be hidden underground. The break in the middle of the walls is
of a later date, when the vaulted passage was constructed. There are
openings (77) into the flank chambers on each side. Here the founda-
tion is interrupted for a distance of 1.30 m. The ends of the adjoining
blocks are cut down as if to receive a sill. At the corner beyond the
door, and also between the door and the north wall of the three
chambers, are signs of piers and antse, 8888. Where the wall BB ends
in the chambers on the flanks, the terminal blocks are placed at right
angles. In line with these in the north wall of the same chambers,
corresponding blocks eeee are similarly placed. These blocks may
have been parts of cross-walls in these positions.
On the greater part of these foundations there remains a course of
fine polygonal masonry 0.48 m. wide. The jointings are good and
the work is done with a great deal of care. Wherever it is still
standing it is 0.50 m. high. The material is a white, hard limestone.
If there were faults in the stones or pieces roughly broken off, the
edges were made regular and other stones fitted in. The polygonal
wall indicated in black is still standing on all the partition walls, on
ing the walls I shall follow the historical development as being at the
same time the true order and in this case the simplest.
Turning to the plan, it appears at a glance that there exists a close
resemblance in plan between the two parts of the stage-building divided
by the great central passage QQ. This vaulted passage, the bottom
of which is on a level with the orchestra, lies under the floor-surface
of the stage-building. Over the vault and within the south wall we
have a chamber (in) 6.33 m. by 3.90 m. This is flanked on either
side by chambers (n and iv) of the same size, and those again by long
and narrow chambers (i and v) extending five metres and a half
beyond the others toward the front. The outline (AATABBEZ) is a
long and narrow building with wings projecting forward. The founda-
tion of this building consists of coarse poros blocks averaging 1.30 m.
in length, 0.68 m. in width and 0.46 m. in height. The blocks are
laid lengthwise except in the south wall of chambers I and ec. At
this point, the ground being lower, the foundation consists of two
courses, and, to obtain greater solidity, the blocks in one lie crosswise
and are moreover supported by buttresses where the partition-walls
meet the south wall. As the ground gradually rises toward the west, the
foundations go deeper. The stones are well cut and fitted, though no
great pains were taken to form an even surface in foundations intended
to be hidden underground. The break in the middle of the walls is
of a later date, when the vaulted passage was constructed. There are
openings (77) into the flank chambers on each side. Here the founda-
tion is interrupted for a distance of 1.30 m. The ends of the adjoining
blocks are cut down as if to receive a sill. At the corner beyond the
door, and also between the door and the north wall of the three
chambers, are signs of piers and antse, 8888. Where the wall BB ends
in the chambers on the flanks, the terminal blocks are placed at right
angles. In line with these in the north wall of the same chambers,
corresponding blocks eeee are similarly placed. These blocks may
have been parts of cross-walls in these positions.
On the greater part of these foundations there remains a course of
fine polygonal masonry 0.48 m. wide. The jointings are good and
the work is done with a great deal of care. Wherever it is still
standing it is 0.50 m. high. The material is a white, hard limestone.
If there were faults in the stones or pieces roughly broken off, the
edges were made regular and other stones fitted in. The polygonal
wall indicated in black is still standing on all the partition walls, on