DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5178#0030
22 ON A MS. HIST. OF CANDIA, BY ONORIO BELLI.
Basilica.
Among the ruins of the Basilica, near the Forum, Belli found
the following inscriptions. (In front of the building) were two
large statues on pedestals, but the statues are now lost.
(These inscriptions have already been given in the former portion of this
paper.)
(A. Z.)
Amphitheatre.
(A plan of this building was given in Belli's work, but is now lost.*)
The amphitheatre of Gortyna was a work of great solidity
and grandeur, but the walls are of brick and stone roughly set
together, without any embellishment on the external face, j" It
would appear that the seats were of terra-cotta, for not one is to
be seen of stone.J The stairs are arranged as in the amphi-
theatre at Verona; the external arcades appear to have been
double, (in two orders,) and from the numerous fragments of
columns in the area, it is probable that a superior portico ran
round the top. In the middle of the height was a prsecinction,
dividing the steps into two nearly equal sections. At present
the building is greatly ruined by injury and the action of fire,
and this state of ruin is continually increasing, for the inha-
* We find the following remarks on Belli's plan and description in Maffei's
History of Amphitheatres : "The amphitheatre at Gortyna he represents, as is
usual, by a plan entirely like that of the Colosseum at Rome, and by a double
portico, and in the four diametrical entrances, though all the arches were, as
he says, but fifty-six. He adds that the fabric was of brick, without any orna-
ment of architecture, which particular can scarcely be believed of an amphi -
theatre, especially in a country where the public edifices were of stone, and
ornamented too." (See note f.) "He adds, that this structure was joined to
the Forum of the city, whereas the amphitheatres were always without the
walls."—Gordon's Translation, p. 82.
f It is probable that the walls were ashlared with stone, which has since
been removed.
% With equal justice he might suppose the Colosseum at Rome to have had
no stone seats.
Basilica.
Among the ruins of the Basilica, near the Forum, Belli found
the following inscriptions. (In front of the building) were two
large statues on pedestals, but the statues are now lost.
(These inscriptions have already been given in the former portion of this
paper.)
(A. Z.)
Amphitheatre.
(A plan of this building was given in Belli's work, but is now lost.*)
The amphitheatre of Gortyna was a work of great solidity
and grandeur, but the walls are of brick and stone roughly set
together, without any embellishment on the external face, j" It
would appear that the seats were of terra-cotta, for not one is to
be seen of stone.J The stairs are arranged as in the amphi-
theatre at Verona; the external arcades appear to have been
double, (in two orders,) and from the numerous fragments of
columns in the area, it is probable that a superior portico ran
round the top. In the middle of the height was a prsecinction,
dividing the steps into two nearly equal sections. At present
the building is greatly ruined by injury and the action of fire,
and this state of ruin is continually increasing, for the inha-
* We find the following remarks on Belli's plan and description in Maffei's
History of Amphitheatres : "The amphitheatre at Gortyna he represents, as is
usual, by a plan entirely like that of the Colosseum at Rome, and by a double
portico, and in the four diametrical entrances, though all the arches were, as
he says, but fifty-six. He adds that the fabric was of brick, without any orna-
ment of architecture, which particular can scarcely be believed of an amphi -
theatre, especially in a country where the public edifices were of stone, and
ornamented too." (See note f.) "He adds, that this structure was joined to
the Forum of the city, whereas the amphitheatres were always without the
walls."—Gordon's Translation, p. 82.
f It is probable that the walls were ashlared with stone, which has since
been removed.
% With equal justice he might suppose the Colosseum at Rome to have had
no stone seats.