DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61617#0216
THE TEMPLE OF ISIS
i65
tion,’ remains of the old temple were utilized, as shafts of
columns and Corinthian capitals coated with white stucco ; and
the plan of the new building was very nearly the same as that
of the old. The stylobate of the colonnade belongs to the
earlier structure, but the columns originally stood nearer to-
gether, eight instead of seven at the ends, and ten on the sides.
The architectural forms and the workmanship of these re-
mains point to a time just after the founding of the Roman
colony; nevertheless the dimensions of the colonnade, approxi-
mately fifty by sixty Oscan feet, reduce to the pre-Roman
standard of measurement, and the building may have been
commenced earlier. In later times the increasing number of
the worshippers of Isis made necessary an enlargement of the
sanctuary. The two rooms at the west end (5 and 6) were
added at the expense of the Palaestra, probably at the time
of the rebuilding.
In the middle of the court, which is surrounded by the colon-
nade, is the temple, consisting of an oblong cella (2), the east
side of which is treated as a front, with a portico borne by six
columns (1). A pit for the refuse of sacrifices, enclosed by
a wall(^) stands in the corner of the court near the entrance
from the street; in the opposite corner there is a larger en-
closure having the appearance of a small temple (4). Near
this are two altars ; a third altar stands close to the temple, and
there are five others, somewhat smaller, between the columns.
On the south side, between the colonnade and the Theatre, is
a small area of irregular shape, east of which is a dwelling
containing five rooms (7, 8, 9).
The accompanying * illustrations show the temple as it is
to-day (Fig. 74) and as it was before the eruption (Fig. 75).
It has architecturally nothing suggestive of the Egyptian style.
Yet the plan presents a marked deviation from ordinary types,
as if the builders, erecting an edifice for the worship of foreign
gods, strove with set purpose to produce a bizarre effect; at the
right and the left of the front of the cella is a large niche, pro-
jecting beyond the sides of the portico, and inorganically con-
nected with the main part of the temple by a pilaster. In the
ornamentation of this temple, as in that of the temple of Apollo,
i65
tion,’ remains of the old temple were utilized, as shafts of
columns and Corinthian capitals coated with white stucco ; and
the plan of the new building was very nearly the same as that
of the old. The stylobate of the colonnade belongs to the
earlier structure, but the columns originally stood nearer to-
gether, eight instead of seven at the ends, and ten on the sides.
The architectural forms and the workmanship of these re-
mains point to a time just after the founding of the Roman
colony; nevertheless the dimensions of the colonnade, approxi-
mately fifty by sixty Oscan feet, reduce to the pre-Roman
standard of measurement, and the building may have been
commenced earlier. In later times the increasing number of
the worshippers of Isis made necessary an enlargement of the
sanctuary. The two rooms at the west end (5 and 6) were
added at the expense of the Palaestra, probably at the time
of the rebuilding.
In the middle of the court, which is surrounded by the colon-
nade, is the temple, consisting of an oblong cella (2), the east
side of which is treated as a front, with a portico borne by six
columns (1). A pit for the refuse of sacrifices, enclosed by
a wall(^) stands in the corner of the court near the entrance
from the street; in the opposite corner there is a larger en-
closure having the appearance of a small temple (4). Near
this are two altars ; a third altar stands close to the temple, and
there are five others, somewhat smaller, between the columns.
On the south side, between the colonnade and the Theatre, is
a small area of irregular shape, east of which is a dwelling
containing five rooms (7, 8, 9).
The accompanying * illustrations show the temple as it is
to-day (Fig. 74) and as it was before the eruption (Fig. 75).
It has architecturally nothing suggestive of the Egyptian style.
Yet the plan presents a marked deviation from ordinary types,
as if the builders, erecting an edifice for the worship of foreign
gods, strove with set purpose to produce a bizarre effect; at the
right and the left of the front of the cella is a large niche, pro-
jecting beyond the sides of the portico, and inorganically con-
nected with the main part of the temple by a pilaster. In the
ornamentation of this temple, as in that of the temple of Apollo,