DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29898#0252
216
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE.
Paet I.
ancl in the mode in which they were ornamented, as to prove that in
the time of Sargon the arch was a usual ancl well-understood building
expedient, ancl one consequently which we may fairly assume to have
been long in use.
On the other hancl, we have in the temple at Der-el-Bahree in
Thebes, built by Thothmes III., a
curious example of the retention of
the olcl form, when at first sight it
would appear as though the true
arch woulcl have been a more correct
expeclient. In this example, the
lower arch is composed of stones
bracketing forwarcl horizontally,
though the form of the arch is
semicircular ; ancl above this is a
discharging arch of two stones usecl
as in the Pyramicls. The upper arch
is so arranged as to relieve the
103. Arch at Der-el-Bakree. (Lepsius.) „ . .....
crown ot the lower—which is lts
weakest part—of all weight, ancl at the same thne to throw the whole
pressure on the outer ends of the arch stones, exactly where it is
wantech The whole thus becomes constructively perfect, though it is
a more expensive way of attaining the end desired than by an arch.
The truth seems to be, the Egyptians had not at this age invented
voussoirs cleeper in the direction of the radii of the arch than in that
of its perimeter; ancl the arch with them was consequently not
generally an appropriate mode of roofing. It was the Romans with
their tiles who first really understoocl the true employment of the arch.
So far as we can now understancl from the discoveries that have
been made, it seems that the Assyrians used the pointecl arch for
tunnels, aqueducts, and generally for undergrouncl work where they
fearecl great superincumbent pressure on the apex, and the round arch
above-grouncl where that was not to be clreaded; and in this they
probably showecl more scienee and cliscrimination than we do in such
works.
In Europe the oldest arch is probably that of Cloaca Maxirna at
Rome, constructed uncler the early kings. It
is of stone in 3 rims, ancl shoivs as perfect a
knowledge of the principle as any subsequent
example. Its lasting uninjured to the pre-
sent day proves how well the art was then
understoocl, and, by inference, how long it
must have been practisecl before reaching
104. Arch of tbe Cloaca Maxima, 1
Rome. Scaie 50 ft. to i in. that clegree of perfection.
Erom all this it becomes almost certain that the arch was used as
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE.
Paet I.
ancl in the mode in which they were ornamented, as to prove that in
the time of Sargon the arch was a usual ancl well-understood building
expedient, ancl one consequently which we may fairly assume to have
been long in use.
On the other hancl, we have in the temple at Der-el-Bahree in
Thebes, built by Thothmes III., a
curious example of the retention of
the olcl form, when at first sight it
would appear as though the true
arch woulcl have been a more correct
expeclient. In this example, the
lower arch is composed of stones
bracketing forwarcl horizontally,
though the form of the arch is
semicircular ; ancl above this is a
discharging arch of two stones usecl
as in the Pyramicls. The upper arch
is so arranged as to relieve the
103. Arch at Der-el-Bakree. (Lepsius.) „ . .....
crown ot the lower—which is lts
weakest part—of all weight, ancl at the same thne to throw the whole
pressure on the outer ends of the arch stones, exactly where it is
wantech The whole thus becomes constructively perfect, though it is
a more expensive way of attaining the end desired than by an arch.
The truth seems to be, the Egyptians had not at this age invented
voussoirs cleeper in the direction of the radii of the arch than in that
of its perimeter; ancl the arch with them was consequently not
generally an appropriate mode of roofing. It was the Romans with
their tiles who first really understoocl the true employment of the arch.
So far as we can now understancl from the discoveries that have
been made, it seems that the Assyrians used the pointecl arch for
tunnels, aqueducts, and generally for undergrouncl work where they
fearecl great superincumbent pressure on the apex, and the round arch
above-grouncl where that was not to be clreaded; and in this they
probably showecl more scienee and cliscrimination than we do in such
works.
In Europe the oldest arch is probably that of Cloaca Maxirna at
Rome, constructed uncler the early kings. It
is of stone in 3 rims, ancl shoivs as perfect a
knowledge of the principle as any subsequent
example. Its lasting uninjured to the pre-
sent day proves how well the art was then
understoocl, and, by inference, how long it
must have been practisecl before reaching
104. Arch of tbe Cloaca Maxima, 1
Rome. Scaie 50 ft. to i in. that clegree of perfection.
Erom all this it becomes almost certain that the arch was used as