DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0186
Facing the gateway and within the enclosure were three
temples, side by side, the front and back walls of the cell<z
being connected by open arches. The back wall of these
temples formed one side of the enclosure, and behind ran one
of the streets of the city. The central temple, which is of the
Composite order, has a cella 44 feet long. The side temples, of
the Corinthian order, are somewhat smaller. The porticoes of
the temples were all tetrastyle prostyle, the centre one being
higher, but in other respects the detached columns were of
similar design. Taking the three porticoes together, there
were eighteen shafts, the height of those of the central order
being 29 feet, and those of the side temples 25 feet 3 inches.
They all stood on lofty stylobates constructed with huge blocks
of stone. The side and back walls of the central structure were
ornamented with engaged shafts projecting a full half-diameter.
The walls of the side structures were ornamented with pilasters.
All the porticoes are entirely overthrown. The broken shafts,
which were all monoliths, the capitals, the fragments of cornices
and other enrichments lie piled up one above the other, forming
a majestic and imposing mass. So much material lies buried
beneath the surface that it is impossible to say whether the
pediments were embellished with sculpture. The decorative
character of the cornices and other parts lying broken on the
ground favours the supposition that the central edifice, at least,
was enriched with figure sculpture. The whole enclosure was
paved with large stones, some of which are more than seven feet
long. The entrance gateway, already referred to, consists of a
large central arch and two side ones, and was decorated with
four engaged Corinthian shafts on the outer face. Within the
gateway was a portico communicating with a colonnade, which
continued round the enclosure till it abutted against the walls
of the side temples. A range of shops stood against one of
the side-walls, but these were evidently of a later erection.
There is, however, sufficient evidence, after an examination of
the details of these monumental buildings, that the temples
and the enclosure were of the same date, and may be attributed
to the reign of Antonine. The custom of enclosing temples
within walls of defence may have originated at a time when a
city's treasures were deposited in sacred edifices, and as a means
of affording sanctuary and shelter for women and children, like
temples, side by side, the front and back walls of the cell<z
being connected by open arches. The back wall of these
temples formed one side of the enclosure, and behind ran one
of the streets of the city. The central temple, which is of the
Composite order, has a cella 44 feet long. The side temples, of
the Corinthian order, are somewhat smaller. The porticoes of
the temples were all tetrastyle prostyle, the centre one being
higher, but in other respects the detached columns were of
similar design. Taking the three porticoes together, there
were eighteen shafts, the height of those of the central order
being 29 feet, and those of the side temples 25 feet 3 inches.
They all stood on lofty stylobates constructed with huge blocks
of stone. The side and back walls of the central structure were
ornamented with engaged shafts projecting a full half-diameter.
The walls of the side structures were ornamented with pilasters.
All the porticoes are entirely overthrown. The broken shafts,
which were all monoliths, the capitals, the fragments of cornices
and other enrichments lie piled up one above the other, forming
a majestic and imposing mass. So much material lies buried
beneath the surface that it is impossible to say whether the
pediments were embellished with sculpture. The decorative
character of the cornices and other parts lying broken on the
ground favours the supposition that the central edifice, at least,
was enriched with figure sculpture. The whole enclosure was
paved with large stones, some of which are more than seven feet
long. The entrance gateway, already referred to, consists of a
large central arch and two side ones, and was decorated with
four engaged Corinthian shafts on the outer face. Within the
gateway was a portico communicating with a colonnade, which
continued round the enclosure till it abutted against the walls
of the side temples. A range of shops stood against one of
the side-walls, but these were evidently of a later erection.
There is, however, sufficient evidence, after an examination of
the details of these monumental buildings, that the temples
and the enclosure were of the same date, and may be attributed
to the reign of Antonine. The custom of enclosing temples
within walls of defence may have originated at a time when a
city's treasures were deposited in sacred edifices, and as a means
of affording sanctuary and shelter for women and children, like