DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5179#0317
TEE CELEBRATED TEMPLE. 279
the Temple of Jupiter Tonans is represented as
hexastyle, with a statue in front of each column.1
Another example of this practice is shown in the
coins of Antoninus Pius, several of which represent
an octastyle temple with a standing figure in front
of the end columns, and sitting ones in front of the
two intermediate columns. Two deities are repre-
sented as sitting on one pedestal in the interior, and
the coins have the following legend,—templum ■ div •
AUG-EEST- COS • IEII.
This custom I should imagine to be derived from
the avenues of sphinxes with which the Egyptians
were wont to give majesty and solemnity to their
sacred edifices. To what extent this feature was
used in European edifices we are unaware; but
remains existed of a similar avenue which grave
approach to the Temple of Apollo at Miletus, till the
statues were removed to this country. Like the
sphinxes of the Egyptian avenues, the statues of
these temples were intended to impress reverence
on the minds of the spectators, and to give honour
to the deity, by making it appear that the Temple
was never deserted, but constantly surrounded by
other deities, and the statues of the best and
greatest of departed mortals. Thus the beholder
would either be impressed with reverence to a deity,
or if the statue were of a mortal, he would consider
how inferior he was to the virtues of the deceased,
1 Vaillant, Num. Imp. Horn. ii. 257.
the Temple of Jupiter Tonans is represented as
hexastyle, with a statue in front of each column.1
Another example of this practice is shown in the
coins of Antoninus Pius, several of which represent
an octastyle temple with a standing figure in front
of the end columns, and sitting ones in front of the
two intermediate columns. Two deities are repre-
sented as sitting on one pedestal in the interior, and
the coins have the following legend,—templum ■ div •
AUG-EEST- COS • IEII.
This custom I should imagine to be derived from
the avenues of sphinxes with which the Egyptians
were wont to give majesty and solemnity to their
sacred edifices. To what extent this feature was
used in European edifices we are unaware; but
remains existed of a similar avenue which grave
approach to the Temple of Apollo at Miletus, till the
statues were removed to this country. Like the
sphinxes of the Egyptian avenues, the statues of
these temples were intended to impress reverence
on the minds of the spectators, and to give honour
to the deity, by making it appear that the Temple
was never deserted, but constantly surrounded by
other deities, and the statues of the best and
greatest of departed mortals. Thus the beholder
would either be impressed with reverence to a deity,
or if the statue were of a mortal, he would consider
how inferior he was to the virtues of the deceased,
1 Vaillant, Num. Imp. Horn. ii. 257.