DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4372#0410
394
hird of the height, or about two diameters of the columns on
which it rested ; that portion of it occupied by the architrave
was something less than one diameter, the frieze about two thirds
of a diameter, and the cornice the remaining third. The very
considerable projection given to the cornice, equal to one half
of the diameter of the column, by the depth of shade which it
cast upon the rest of the entablature, and corresponding with
the dignified simplicity of the Doric edifices, gave to them that
venerable and imposing character in which the temples of the
Ionic or Corinthian orders have ever been deficient.
To add to the grand appearance of the Grecian temples, this
entablature was at tlio two extremities surmounted with a trian-
gular pediment or fronton; the base of which occupied the
whole breadth of the cornice ; the two sides meeting in an obtuse
angle at the top, at a height generally equal to one tenth of the
breadth of the building. The two oblique sides were terminated
by a cornice similar to that which formed the base, and the in-
termediate space was either left vacant, or, as in most instances,
where the temples were of a large size, and of grand proportions,
was filled up with colossal figures of deities and heroes. The
temples of Jupiter at Olympia, and at Agrigentutn ; those of Mi-
nerva at Athens, and at Tegea ; that of Hercules at Thebes, and
of Apollo at Delphis, were of this description; and certainly it
were impossible for the imagination to conceive a more sublime
design than what was executed in these; instances, or one more ap-
propriate to mark the approaches to the residence of the deity.
In this respect the Egyptian buildings were far inferior, to
those of Greece.
The entablatures of the temples along the banks of the Nile
were more simple and uniform ; the sculptures with which they
were adorned presented to the spectator neither the variety, nor
the
hird of the height, or about two diameters of the columns on
which it rested ; that portion of it occupied by the architrave
was something less than one diameter, the frieze about two thirds
of a diameter, and the cornice the remaining third. The very
considerable projection given to the cornice, equal to one half
of the diameter of the column, by the depth of shade which it
cast upon the rest of the entablature, and corresponding with
the dignified simplicity of the Doric edifices, gave to them that
venerable and imposing character in which the temples of the
Ionic or Corinthian orders have ever been deficient.
To add to the grand appearance of the Grecian temples, this
entablature was at tlio two extremities surmounted with a trian-
gular pediment or fronton; the base of which occupied the
whole breadth of the cornice ; the two sides meeting in an obtuse
angle at the top, at a height generally equal to one tenth of the
breadth of the building. The two oblique sides were terminated
by a cornice similar to that which formed the base, and the in-
termediate space was either left vacant, or, as in most instances,
where the temples were of a large size, and of grand proportions,
was filled up with colossal figures of deities and heroes. The
temples of Jupiter at Olympia, and at Agrigentutn ; those of Mi-
nerva at Athens, and at Tegea ; that of Hercules at Thebes, and
of Apollo at Delphis, were of this description; and certainly it
were impossible for the imagination to conceive a more sublime
design than what was executed in these; instances, or one more ap-
propriate to mark the approaches to the residence of the deity.
In this respect the Egyptian buildings were far inferior, to
those of Greece.
The entablatures of the temples along the banks of the Nile
were more simple and uniform ; the sculptures with which they
were adorned presented to the spectator neither the variety, nor
the