DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0401
CHAPTER XII
PAGAN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DJEBEL
HAU RAN—Continued
ROMAN PERIOD (200-300 a.d.)
SOON after the beginning of the third century a.d., a change seems to have come
over the classic architectural style of the Djebel Hauran. The florid style which
flourished under the Emperor Caracalla at the opening of the century at Ba‘albek
found no representation in the architecture of the Hauran. The style of the Anto-
nines in this region was followed by a development in classic architecture which is
curiously reserved, not lacking in delicacy, but a little meager, perhaps, in the appli-
cation of its ornament, and somewhat erratic in its proportions. If we are correct in
following M. de Vogiie in placing the palace at Shakka in the third century, we have
in this monument an excellent type of the style of architecture that succeeded the
imperial style of the second century in the Ilauran. In this monument we still find
dignity of plan and design, refinement in the treatment of details, and delicacy in the
execution of the carving; but there is an indefinable sentiment in each of these char-
acteristics that carries us far from the style of the monuments described in the last
chapter.
Base moldings are unaccountably done away with, angle pilasters are rare, new
profiles are introduced in the moldings of doorways, the jambs are elevated upon
claw-feet, which looks like a return to the pre-Roman models of Si‘, new designs
appear in the main lintels, the relieving-arch is conspicuous above the portals, win-
dows appear in strange designs, while the crowning moldings depart entirely from
classic precedent and assume the form of a huge cymatium. These characteristics, if
they may be taken as expressive of the art of the beginning of the third century, do
not apply to that of the remainder of the century. There can be no doubt that
Shehba, which has been definitely identified with the ancient Philippopolis, was built
about the middle of the century, and for the most part during the reign of the
Emperor Philip (244-249 a.d.). In the ruins of this ancient city we have ample
illustration of the architecture of the period in temples, baths, monumental gateways,
3 6 9
PAGAN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DJEBEL
HAU RAN—Continued
ROMAN PERIOD (200-300 a.d.)
SOON after the beginning of the third century a.d., a change seems to have come
over the classic architectural style of the Djebel Hauran. The florid style which
flourished under the Emperor Caracalla at the opening of the century at Ba‘albek
found no representation in the architecture of the Hauran. The style of the Anto-
nines in this region was followed by a development in classic architecture which is
curiously reserved, not lacking in delicacy, but a little meager, perhaps, in the appli-
cation of its ornament, and somewhat erratic in its proportions. If we are correct in
following M. de Vogiie in placing the palace at Shakka in the third century, we have
in this monument an excellent type of the style of architecture that succeeded the
imperial style of the second century in the Ilauran. In this monument we still find
dignity of plan and design, refinement in the treatment of details, and delicacy in the
execution of the carving; but there is an indefinable sentiment in each of these char-
acteristics that carries us far from the style of the monuments described in the last
chapter.
Base moldings are unaccountably done away with, angle pilasters are rare, new
profiles are introduced in the moldings of doorways, the jambs are elevated upon
claw-feet, which looks like a return to the pre-Roman models of Si‘, new designs
appear in the main lintels, the relieving-arch is conspicuous above the portals, win-
dows appear in strange designs, while the crowning moldings depart entirely from
classic precedent and assume the form of a huge cymatium. These characteristics, if
they may be taken as expressive of the art of the beginning of the third century, do
not apply to that of the remainder of the century. There can be no doubt that
Shehba, which has been definitely identified with the ancient Philippopolis, was built
about the middle of the century, and for the most part during the reign of the
Emperor Philip (244-249 a.d.). In the ruins of this ancient city we have ample
illustration of the architecture of the period in temples, baths, monumental gateways,
3 6 9