DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0376
344 PAGAN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DJEBEL HAURAN
pletely hidden by a modern construction of broken stones, so that only the south wall
is still visible. Baron von Oppenheim was so fortunate as to see the ancient structure
before the modern house had assumed its present dimensions, and gives a photograph
of it in his “ Vom Mittelmeer zum Persischen Golf,” opposite page ioo. In the
most recent remodeling of the temple for private use, a large portion of the portico
was sacrificed, and the single column and the section of architrave above it, shown
in M. Rey’s drawing and in Baron von Oppenheim’s photograph, have disappeared
from their original position. The architrave, however, is now in an adjoining
courtyard.
A description of one temple will suffice for both. The temple edifice was elevated
upon a high podium, built up in regular courses of ashler and having arches within
supporting slabs which formed the floor of the temple. The present entrances in the
sides of the podiums are not original. This subbasement was treated in the manner
common in most temples of Roman date, with a base mold and cap along the sides
South wall of west temple at ‘Atil.
and rear; the front was partly occupied by steps. The portico between the antae was
not deep ; upon it opened a broad portal and two sets of two superposed niches. The
cella was spanned transversely by a broad semicircular arch upon which was con-
pletely hidden by a modern construction of broken stones, so that only the south wall
is still visible. Baron von Oppenheim was so fortunate as to see the ancient structure
before the modern house had assumed its present dimensions, and gives a photograph
of it in his “ Vom Mittelmeer zum Persischen Golf,” opposite page ioo. In the
most recent remodeling of the temple for private use, a large portion of the portico
was sacrificed, and the single column and the section of architrave above it, shown
in M. Rey’s drawing and in Baron von Oppenheim’s photograph, have disappeared
from their original position. The architrave, however, is now in an adjoining
courtyard.
A description of one temple will suffice for both. The temple edifice was elevated
upon a high podium, built up in regular courses of ashler and having arches within
supporting slabs which formed the floor of the temple. The present entrances in the
sides of the podiums are not original. This subbasement was treated in the manner
common in most temples of Roman date, with a base mold and cap along the sides
South wall of west temple at ‘Atil.
and rear; the front was partly occupied by steps. The portico between the antae was
not deep ; upon it opened a broad portal and two sets of two superposed niches. The
cella was spanned transversely by a broad semicircular arch upon which was con-