DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0398
3 66
PAGAN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DJEBEL HAURAN
quite correct. The only ornament employed in the interior consisted of the moldings
of the piers which supported the arches. These consist, in the lower story, of a fillet,
an ovolo, a cavetto, and a fascia, in the upper story of a simple cyma recta. The stone-
work of the piers and arches was of highly finished ashler, but that of the spandrels
as we see it to-day is of inferior quality and rather crude. But I am inclined to the
belief that much of this is due to late restorations; for it is evident that the building
has been often repaired, and much of its lower story is now filled up with modern
dwellings. A notable feature of the arches is that the width of the voussoirs is much
greater than their height.
The composition of the fagade is most simple and dignified, consisting of a broad
central portal and two smaller side doorways, the broad space on either side of the
East facjade of basilica at Shakka.
central opening being adorned with an ornamented niche. The angles are provided
with shallow pilasters, and there would seem to have been no less than four rectangu-
lar brackets for statues, arranged one on either side of the lateral entrances. The
ornament begins with a delicate base mold, consisting ofa torus and a cyma recta; this
breaks out to form bases for the corner pilasters, and is stopped against the door-
jambs. It will be noticed that this detail is omitted from buildings of the third cen-
tury in this region. The thresholds consist of a high step, nrolded across the top and
down the sides; upon this the jambs rest. The frame moldings of the central portal
are broad and quite elaborate, consisting of a narrow fascia next to the opening, a broad
pulvinated member between two cyma reversas, and adeep cymatium. At either end
PAGAN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DJEBEL HAURAN
quite correct. The only ornament employed in the interior consisted of the moldings
of the piers which supported the arches. These consist, in the lower story, of a fillet,
an ovolo, a cavetto, and a fascia, in the upper story of a simple cyma recta. The stone-
work of the piers and arches was of highly finished ashler, but that of the spandrels
as we see it to-day is of inferior quality and rather crude. But I am inclined to the
belief that much of this is due to late restorations; for it is evident that the building
has been often repaired, and much of its lower story is now filled up with modern
dwellings. A notable feature of the arches is that the width of the voussoirs is much
greater than their height.
The composition of the fagade is most simple and dignified, consisting of a broad
central portal and two smaller side doorways, the broad space on either side of the
East facjade of basilica at Shakka.
central opening being adorned with an ornamented niche. The angles are provided
with shallow pilasters, and there would seem to have been no less than four rectangu-
lar brackets for statues, arranged one on either side of the lateral entrances. The
ornament begins with a delicate base mold, consisting ofa torus and a cyma recta; this
breaks out to form bases for the corner pilasters, and is stopped against the door-
jambs. It will be noticed that this detail is omitted from buildings of the third cen-
tury in this region. The thresholds consist of a high step, nrolded across the top and
down the sides; upon this the jambs rest. The frame moldings of the central portal
are broad and quite elaborate, consisting of a narrow fascia next to the opening, a broad
pulvinated member between two cyma reversas, and adeep cymatium. At either end