DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.791#0130
58 THORICUS.
returns the intervals, excepting those at the angles which in all examples are less than the others,
must have been equal.
No remains of walls could be discovered within the area; which circumstance, connected with
the unusual width of the central interval in one of the long fronts of the building, seems to prove
that it was not a temple, but an open portico. Within the area capitals differing from those found
around the exterior of the building were dug up; they belonged probably to columns which
extended along the middle of the space inclosed by the outer peristyle and supported the timbers
of the roof.
PLATE I.
PLAN OF THE PORTICO.
The portions ,of sixteen .columns remain in their original situations ; eleven on the east side,
and five .on the north-west. The angular columns of the south-west front are both remaining,
and the place of the second column A. is designated by the sinking left in the pavement to receive
it. It is this circumstance that enables us to ascertain that there were seven columns in the returns
or ends of the portico.
The edge of the tread of the first step, and a narrow fillet next the foot of the second, are
polished; the intermediate part is roughly worked; a proof that the building was never finished.
PLATE II.
ELEVATION OF THE COLUMNS OF THE NORTH-WEST FRONT.
The height of the columns was ascertained from the fallen frusta of those shafts of which part
were remaining in their original situations. The columns diminish nearly a fourth of their lower
diameter, in lines perfectly straight. The shafts are plain, excepting a small portion at the top and
bottom, which is fluted; above the flutings, at the base of the shaft, is a narrow band, or fillet
worked with an elliptical curve over each of the flutings: this is highly polished. The
band below the hypotrachelium, or neck of the column, is likewise polished; the plain part of the
shaft exhibits the marks of a pointed tool over its entire surface. Projecting knobs were left
in front of the blocks forming the steps ; these were probably intended to be worked off when
the building was finished.
returns the intervals, excepting those at the angles which in all examples are less than the others,
must have been equal.
No remains of walls could be discovered within the area; which circumstance, connected with
the unusual width of the central interval in one of the long fronts of the building, seems to prove
that it was not a temple, but an open portico. Within the area capitals differing from those found
around the exterior of the building were dug up; they belonged probably to columns which
extended along the middle of the space inclosed by the outer peristyle and supported the timbers
of the roof.
PLATE I.
PLAN OF THE PORTICO.
The portions ,of sixteen .columns remain in their original situations ; eleven on the east side,
and five .on the north-west. The angular columns of the south-west front are both remaining,
and the place of the second column A. is designated by the sinking left in the pavement to receive
it. It is this circumstance that enables us to ascertain that there were seven columns in the returns
or ends of the portico.
The edge of the tread of the first step, and a narrow fillet next the foot of the second, are
polished; the intermediate part is roughly worked; a proof that the building was never finished.
PLATE II.
ELEVATION OF THE COLUMNS OF THE NORTH-WEST FRONT.
The height of the columns was ascertained from the fallen frusta of those shafts of which part
were remaining in their original situations. The columns diminish nearly a fourth of their lower
diameter, in lines perfectly straight. The shafts are plain, excepting a small portion at the top and
bottom, which is fluted; above the flutings, at the base of the shaft, is a narrow band, or fillet
worked with an elliptical curve over each of the flutings: this is highly polished. The
band below the hypotrachelium, or neck of the column, is likewise polished; the plain part of the
shaft exhibits the marks of a pointed tool over its entire surface. Projecting knobs were left
in front of the blocks forming the steps ; these were probably intended to be worked off when
the building was finished.