DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0028
XXIV
PREFACE
dence of Roman models is plainly noticeable. Oriental elements are more in evidence,
owing, perhaps, to a half-Oriental style of architecture that was developed here
before thc Hauran was made part of the Roman Empire, and in partial indepen-
dence of the Greek architecture of Syria under the Seleucid kings. The later styles
in the Djebel Hauran show neither Greek nor Roman influence and are peculiarly
individual.
In the presentation of these monuments it was found impossible to make mention
of more than a small fraction of the existing buildings. It seemed, therefore, more
practicable to publish all of the public and religious buildings and to select for publi-
cation a few of the more representative structures of a private or funeral character.
With this end in view, all the temples, churches, baths, and other public edifices are
herewith represented by plans drawn to scale, wherever a plan could be made out
in the ruins, or by one or more photographs. Prom the great number of private
dwellings and tombs, one or more examples were chosen to represent different types
of these structures in each architectural period, and of these, plans or photographs, or
both, are given with more or less detailed descriptions. A number of plans published
herewith were taken directly from “ La Syrie Centrale ” ; in a few instances new plans
are given of buildings published by M. de Vogiie. It will be noticed that the
monuments are grouped according to centuries, with reference to a number of build-
ings which are dated by inscriptions, and that the changes in architectural style from
century to century are sufficient to warrant these divisions. Monuments without dates
are grouped for convenience with the dated monuments according to similarity of
details.
Expressions of gratitude are given elsewhere, by the expedition as a whole, to his
Majesty the Sultan of Turkey for permission to study the monuments of Syria, and
to his Excellency Hamedy Bey for his kindly assistance in securing that permission;
to the Honorable Oscar Straus, ex-Minister of the United States at the Sublime Porte,
and to Mr. A. A. Gargiulo, dragoman of the United States legation at Constantinople,
for their labors in our behalf. In addition to these, I am indebted, in this publication
of these monuments, first, to the Honorable the Marquis de Vogue, the first investi-
gator of the architecture of Central Syria, whose benevolent correspondence during
the period of the preparation of this work has been an encouragement and an incen-
tive; secondly, to my colleagues of the expedition for their constant assistance; and,
PREFACE
dence of Roman models is plainly noticeable. Oriental elements are more in evidence,
owing, perhaps, to a half-Oriental style of architecture that was developed here
before thc Hauran was made part of the Roman Empire, and in partial indepen-
dence of the Greek architecture of Syria under the Seleucid kings. The later styles
in the Djebel Hauran show neither Greek nor Roman influence and are peculiarly
individual.
In the presentation of these monuments it was found impossible to make mention
of more than a small fraction of the existing buildings. It seemed, therefore, more
practicable to publish all of the public and religious buildings and to select for publi-
cation a few of the more representative structures of a private or funeral character.
With this end in view, all the temples, churches, baths, and other public edifices are
herewith represented by plans drawn to scale, wherever a plan could be made out
in the ruins, or by one or more photographs. Prom the great number of private
dwellings and tombs, one or more examples were chosen to represent different types
of these structures in each architectural period, and of these, plans or photographs, or
both, are given with more or less detailed descriptions. A number of plans published
herewith were taken directly from “ La Syrie Centrale ” ; in a few instances new plans
are given of buildings published by M. de Vogiie. It will be noticed that the
monuments are grouped according to centuries, with reference to a number of build-
ings which are dated by inscriptions, and that the changes in architectural style from
century to century are sufficient to warrant these divisions. Monuments without dates
are grouped for convenience with the dated monuments according to similarity of
details.
Expressions of gratitude are given elsewhere, by the expedition as a whole, to his
Majesty the Sultan of Turkey for permission to study the monuments of Syria, and
to his Excellency Hamedy Bey for his kindly assistance in securing that permission;
to the Honorable Oscar Straus, ex-Minister of the United States at the Sublime Porte,
and to Mr. A. A. Gargiulo, dragoman of the United States legation at Constantinople,
for their labors in our behalf. In addition to these, I am indebted, in this publication
of these monuments, first, to the Honorable the Marquis de Vogue, the first investi-
gator of the architecture of Central Syria, whose benevolent correspondence during
the period of the preparation of this work has been an encouragement and an incen-
tive; secondly, to my colleagues of the expedition for their constant assistance; and,