DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0120
88
ARCHITECTURE OF THE FOURTH CENTURY
three-aisled, with the central aisle terminating toward the east in an apse or a rec-
tangular sanctuary, and side alleys terminating in small rectangular chambers; that
on the north was the protliesis, that on the south the diaconicum. The other class is
single-aisled, with square or apsidal termination toward the east. Both classes are
provided with lateral portals, thcre being oftcn no western entrance in the earlier
structures. The basilical plan, as used in Syria, was undoubtedly of classic origin,
whether taken from the great basilicas of the Imperial City, or from those of cities of
Greek foundation in the East; and the services of Christian worship developed in
accordance with the form of sanctuary which the pagan basilicas of the empire offered.
BAnkusa. church. The most striking example of the basilical church, conforming
in style to the description given above as characteristic of the transition, is the North
Church of Bankusa, an edifice which, from the massiveness of
its construction alone, would appear to be one of the most an-
cient buildings in the whole region. Indeed, there is nothing in
the ruins of the building proper to signify that it was a Christian
edifice at all; it is only upon a fragment of a chancel rail, at the
eastern end of the building, that we discover Christian emblems
which show that it was used as a church, and it is not impos-
sible that we have here an example of a converted pagan
building. Bankusa has been mentioned before (page 42) as the
sitc of one of the early polygonal houses. It was a large town,
arguing from the extent of its ruins, embracing, in addition to
the structure under cliscussion, a large church which was pub-
lished by M. de Vogtie and a great number of ruined houses of various forms and
sizes. The building in question is situated in the northeastern extremity of the
ruins, upon the slope of the hill. Its eastern end is in total ruins, having fallen down
the slope ; its side walls are comparatively well preserved. The west wall and a por-
tion of the north wall are cut in the natural rock up to the height of the aisle walls.
The south wall preserves two portals; the blocks of stone used are of large dimen-
sions, measuring 3 m. x 1.20 x .66, and are laid regardless of courses. The stone-
work is quadrated, though some of the joints between the ends of the stones are not
perpendicular. The door-jambs are monolithic, except in one case where a small
stone is inserted below the lintel. The sole attempt at decoration in this part of the
building is to be seen in the very plain door-cap of the southwest portal, the profile of
which shows only straight lines. Inside the walls, though all is a mass of ruins, the
basilical plan may be easily traced. The columns stood in close proximity, six on a
side, and were of a debased Ionic order, with bases set on square plinths. The shafts
are monolithic, about 4 m. high. Upon the columns rested that peculiar combination
of architrave and arch which is described on page 25 as characteristic of early
Fig. 29. Plan of North
Church at Bankusa.
ARCHITECTURE OF THE FOURTH CENTURY
three-aisled, with the central aisle terminating toward the east in an apse or a rec-
tangular sanctuary, and side alleys terminating in small rectangular chambers; that
on the north was the protliesis, that on the south the diaconicum. The other class is
single-aisled, with square or apsidal termination toward the east. Both classes are
provided with lateral portals, thcre being oftcn no western entrance in the earlier
structures. The basilical plan, as used in Syria, was undoubtedly of classic origin,
whether taken from the great basilicas of the Imperial City, or from those of cities of
Greek foundation in the East; and the services of Christian worship developed in
accordance with the form of sanctuary which the pagan basilicas of the empire offered.
BAnkusa. church. The most striking example of the basilical church, conforming
in style to the description given above as characteristic of the transition, is the North
Church of Bankusa, an edifice which, from the massiveness of
its construction alone, would appear to be one of the most an-
cient buildings in the whole region. Indeed, there is nothing in
the ruins of the building proper to signify that it was a Christian
edifice at all; it is only upon a fragment of a chancel rail, at the
eastern end of the building, that we discover Christian emblems
which show that it was used as a church, and it is not impos-
sible that we have here an example of a converted pagan
building. Bankusa has been mentioned before (page 42) as the
sitc of one of the early polygonal houses. It was a large town,
arguing from the extent of its ruins, embracing, in addition to
the structure under cliscussion, a large church which was pub-
lished by M. de Vogtie and a great number of ruined houses of various forms and
sizes. The building in question is situated in the northeastern extremity of the
ruins, upon the slope of the hill. Its eastern end is in total ruins, having fallen down
the slope ; its side walls are comparatively well preserved. The west wall and a por-
tion of the north wall are cut in the natural rock up to the height of the aisle walls.
The south wall preserves two portals; the blocks of stone used are of large dimen-
sions, measuring 3 m. x 1.20 x .66, and are laid regardless of courses. The stone-
work is quadrated, though some of the joints between the ends of the stones are not
perpendicular. The door-jambs are monolithic, except in one case where a small
stone is inserted below the lintel. The sole attempt at decoration in this part of the
building is to be seen in the very plain door-cap of the southwest portal, the profile of
which shows only straight lines. Inside the walls, though all is a mass of ruins, the
basilical plan may be easily traced. The columns stood in close proximity, six on a
side, and were of a debased Ionic order, with bases set on square plinths. The shafts
are monolithic, about 4 m. high. Upon the columns rested that peculiar combination
of architrave and arch which is described on page 25 as characteristic of early
Fig. 29. Plan of North
Church at Bankusa.