DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.47233#0075
CHAP. 111.]
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS.
59
might have been part of this arrangement, although it is hardly likely, as it is so very small, unless,
what is not improbable, this end was two stories in height. It is much more likely that it belonged
to the exedra on the north side where the cill is—if exedra it has been—and was used there much
in the same manner in which we find columns of similar detail employed in the Exedrae of the
Stoa of Philip. Moreover the diagonal dowel hole in the centre of the stylobate of the inner
row suggests circular pillars there, although there are no traces of a circular weather line as is
the case on the detached base stone at V.
It is practically impossible, with the scanty evidence before us, to give an idea of the date impossible to fix
of this structure. The general construction and the materials are much the same as what we find date·
elsewhere on the site of Megalopolis. On the small portion of the limestone foundation of the
portico stylobate Ave see that the l—I cramp has been employed as in the later work in the
Thersilion Portico. In the conglomerate the swallow-tailed dowel appears to have been generally
used, as in the retaining Avails of the Theatre. The scanty architectural details, from the Nature of archi-
nature of their lines, point to a later rather than an earlier period in the history of Megalopolis. tectural details.
How late, it would be rash to say. The character of the detail of the Ionic base is similar to
that of the one in the Stoa of Philip. The contour and proportion of the Doric capital
indicate a later type than that of the Thersilion Portico. The only clue to an approximate Only clue to date,
date is obtained from the description in Pausanias, by the names there given of the sculptors
of the statue group. And while this might fix the period of the erection of the statues,
it need not necessarily include the whole structure, which may have been in existence before
that time. I will, however, leave this to be discussed elsewhere.
§ 6. The Stoa of Philip.
Although the whole area of this stoa has not been completely excavated, enough has
been cleared to enable its extent to be seen, and the nature of its plan to be worked out.
The remains comprise principally, the foundations of the stylobate, a portion of the stylobate
and pillars at the extreme south-east corner of the front, the lower part of the side and back
Avails, and the foundations of the internal rows of pillars, Avith, in a feAv instances, the bases
of the columns still in position on their top. The stoa has consisted of a long colonnade of
Doric pillars in front, having a projecting wing at each end ; inside these, were two rows of
pillars of the Ionic order, and at the sides and back Avere Avails. Attached to the back wall
w’ere tAvo exedrae, which were connected with the stoa by openings through this wall.
Conglomerate is the material Avhich has been used for the foundations generally, and
for the Avails mainly, and Avhite limestone has been employed for the stylobates, bases, and
pillars. The capitals of the Ionic pillars have been made of marble.
The stoa lies almost east and west, and faces soli th.
Stoa of Philip.
(Plates XV. and
XVI.)
Site not complete-
ly excaA7ated.
Nature of
remains.
Description of
Stoa.
Materials.
Direction.
The enclosing walls have been built in the usual Avay. Resting on the foundations is
a cillcourse, the top of which has, practically, been the floor level. It is about 2 feet
9 inches wide and 9 inches deep. Immediately above it is the course of upright blocks,
two in the thickness of the Avail. This course measures 2 feet 4 inches across, and is 2 feet
8 inches high. The blocks, which average 3 feet 11J inches long, are made of conglomerate,
and have been panelled on the face and coated with stucco. They have been joined together
at top by |—| cramps. Above this is a limestone course 61 inches thick and 2 feet 6J
inches wide. The blocks composing this are also panelled on face. Nothing exists to-day of
the Avails above this level. There are certain slight but apparent variations in the construction
of these Avails which may indicate later repairs.
The foundation of the stylobate of the external pillars is built of conglomerate slabs.
This foundation has an average Avidth of 5 feet, and both M and I—i cramps have been used
in its construction. In the west Aving it has a depth of at least five courses below the level of the
first limestone slab of the stylobate (see Pl. XV. Fig. 3, 0). It is extremely probable that the level
of the ground in front has always been, as Ave find it to-day, considerably lower at the west end of
the stoa than at the east, and that the face of this foundation Avas intended to be seen. The
upper course is built of single stones in the thickness of the wall. These are about
3 feet long and I foot 2 inches deep, and have been joined together by | cramps. The next
Enclosing Walls.
Variations.
Foundations of
Stylobate.
Deep foundation
at west end.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS.
59
might have been part of this arrangement, although it is hardly likely, as it is so very small, unless,
what is not improbable, this end was two stories in height. It is much more likely that it belonged
to the exedra on the north side where the cill is—if exedra it has been—and was used there much
in the same manner in which we find columns of similar detail employed in the Exedrae of the
Stoa of Philip. Moreover the diagonal dowel hole in the centre of the stylobate of the inner
row suggests circular pillars there, although there are no traces of a circular weather line as is
the case on the detached base stone at V.
It is practically impossible, with the scanty evidence before us, to give an idea of the date impossible to fix
of this structure. The general construction and the materials are much the same as what we find date·
elsewhere on the site of Megalopolis. On the small portion of the limestone foundation of the
portico stylobate Ave see that the l—I cramp has been employed as in the later work in the
Thersilion Portico. In the conglomerate the swallow-tailed dowel appears to have been generally
used, as in the retaining Avails of the Theatre. The scanty architectural details, from the Nature of archi-
nature of their lines, point to a later rather than an earlier period in the history of Megalopolis. tectural details.
How late, it would be rash to say. The character of the detail of the Ionic base is similar to
that of the one in the Stoa of Philip. The contour and proportion of the Doric capital
indicate a later type than that of the Thersilion Portico. The only clue to an approximate Only clue to date,
date is obtained from the description in Pausanias, by the names there given of the sculptors
of the statue group. And while this might fix the period of the erection of the statues,
it need not necessarily include the whole structure, which may have been in existence before
that time. I will, however, leave this to be discussed elsewhere.
§ 6. The Stoa of Philip.
Although the whole area of this stoa has not been completely excavated, enough has
been cleared to enable its extent to be seen, and the nature of its plan to be worked out.
The remains comprise principally, the foundations of the stylobate, a portion of the stylobate
and pillars at the extreme south-east corner of the front, the lower part of the side and back
Avails, and the foundations of the internal rows of pillars, Avith, in a feAv instances, the bases
of the columns still in position on their top. The stoa has consisted of a long colonnade of
Doric pillars in front, having a projecting wing at each end ; inside these, were two rows of
pillars of the Ionic order, and at the sides and back Avere Avails. Attached to the back wall
w’ere tAvo exedrae, which were connected with the stoa by openings through this wall.
Conglomerate is the material Avhich has been used for the foundations generally, and
for the Avails mainly, and Avhite limestone has been employed for the stylobates, bases, and
pillars. The capitals of the Ionic pillars have been made of marble.
The stoa lies almost east and west, and faces soli th.
Stoa of Philip.
(Plates XV. and
XVI.)
Site not complete-
ly excaA7ated.
Nature of
remains.
Description of
Stoa.
Materials.
Direction.
The enclosing walls have been built in the usual Avay. Resting on the foundations is
a cillcourse, the top of which has, practically, been the floor level. It is about 2 feet
9 inches wide and 9 inches deep. Immediately above it is the course of upright blocks,
two in the thickness of the Avail. This course measures 2 feet 4 inches across, and is 2 feet
8 inches high. The blocks, which average 3 feet 11J inches long, are made of conglomerate,
and have been panelled on the face and coated with stucco. They have been joined together
at top by |—| cramps. Above this is a limestone course 61 inches thick and 2 feet 6J
inches wide. The blocks composing this are also panelled on face. Nothing exists to-day of
the Avails above this level. There are certain slight but apparent variations in the construction
of these Avails which may indicate later repairs.
The foundation of the stylobate of the external pillars is built of conglomerate slabs.
This foundation has an average Avidth of 5 feet, and both M and I—i cramps have been used
in its construction. In the west Aving it has a depth of at least five courses below the level of the
first limestone slab of the stylobate (see Pl. XV. Fig. 3, 0). It is extremely probable that the level
of the ground in front has always been, as Ave find it to-day, considerably lower at the west end of
the stoa than at the east, and that the face of this foundation Avas intended to be seen. The
upper course is built of single stones in the thickness of the wall. These are about
3 feet long and I foot 2 inches deep, and have been joined together by | cramps. The next
Enclosing Walls.
Variations.
Foundations of
Stylobate.
Deep foundation
at west end.