DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61277#0113
TEMPLE.
87
the orchestra, as in English theatres, is in front
of the stage; and the latter, with its brick wings,
is very shallow. This edifice was calculated to
contain about two thousand spectators. Both
these theatres are exactly of the same form as the
Teatro Olimpico of Palladio, at Verona ; having,
like it, a narrow proscenium and three entrances
to the stage, one large, the other two less, from
the scenery behind. In the larger of these fabrics,
the seats rest on the side of a hill, above which
was a colonnade, or portico, communicating with
a public walk, or rather forming part of a forum.
The side of a hill was, indeed, peculiarly favour-
able to the arrangements of an ancient theatre,
and seems to have been frequently chosen for the
purpose. A staircase leads from the little theatre
to an eminence, upon which several public build-
ings are situated.
Most conspicuous of all is a small temple,
said to have been dedicated to Isis.* It is in
a most perfect state of preservation, and occu-
pies an angle formed by two streets. It con-
sists of a small court, surrounded by Doric pil-
lars, at one end of which is the cella,f raised on
several steps ; to this cella there are two doors,
* One of the deities of the ancient mythology,
f A sort of cell.
I 2
87
the orchestra, as in English theatres, is in front
of the stage; and the latter, with its brick wings,
is very shallow. This edifice was calculated to
contain about two thousand spectators. Both
these theatres are exactly of the same form as the
Teatro Olimpico of Palladio, at Verona ; having,
like it, a narrow proscenium and three entrances
to the stage, one large, the other two less, from
the scenery behind. In the larger of these fabrics,
the seats rest on the side of a hill, above which
was a colonnade, or portico, communicating with
a public walk, or rather forming part of a forum.
The side of a hill was, indeed, peculiarly favour-
able to the arrangements of an ancient theatre,
and seems to have been frequently chosen for the
purpose. A staircase leads from the little theatre
to an eminence, upon which several public build-
ings are situated.
Most conspicuous of all is a small temple,
said to have been dedicated to Isis.* It is in
a most perfect state of preservation, and occu-
pies an angle formed by two streets. It con-
sists of a small court, surrounded by Doric pil-
lars, at one end of which is the cella,f raised on
several steps ; to this cella there are two doors,
* One of the deities of the ancient mythology,
f A sort of cell.
I 2