Palladio, Andrea: The four books of Andrea Palladio's architecture (Band 3): Wherein the ways, bridges, piazzas, basilicas, and xisti are treated of (London, 1738)

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THIRD BOOK.

77

commanded that they mould extend tod place themselves one on the ssank of the
other, that they might have an opportunity of handling their arms, and not be sur-
rounded by the enemies; which being immediately done by the lbldicrs, he ob-
tained the victory, and they the immortal name of being brave, and well disci-
plined: since in the very heat of battle, when things were sull os danger and con-
sulion, they performed that, which to many in our times would seem a thing trery dissicult
to be done, even when the enemies are at a distance, and when there is conveniency both of
time and place. Of such like glorious anions the Greek and Latin hiitories are alniost all
sull; and there is no doubt but that it proceeded srom their continual cxercising of the
young men.
From this exercise, the laid places which (as VtTRtjrvius relates, in the eleventh chapter
os his fisth book) the Greeks built, were by them called Pakftra's and Xijl', and their
disposition was this. In the first place they designcd the (quart piazza, two stadia in cir-
cumserence ; that is, os two hundred and fifty paces; and on three sides thereos they made
limple portico's, and under them ample halls, in which were the men os letters, such as
philosopners, and the like, disputing and discoursing. On the fourth side, which was
turned to the south, they made double portico's, that the rains driven by the winds,
might not enter them far, in winter; and that the sun might be kept osf in ham-
mer. In the middle os this portico was a very great hall, one square and an hals in
length, where the young men were instrucled. On the left hand os which, was the
place where the girls were innructed; behind that, the place where the wrestlers pow-
dered themselves; and sarther on, the rooms sor cold wassling, or what now we call cold bath-
ing, which comes to be in the turning os the portico. On the lest os the place for the
young men, was the place where they anointed their bodies, in order to be the llronger ; and
near to it the cold room, where they undress'd themselves ; and farther on, the warm room,
where they made a fire, from whence one came into the hot room. This room had on
one part of it the laconicum, which was the place where they sweated, and on the other
the room sor hot bathing ; because these prudent men were willing to imitate nature, which
srom an extream cold, leads gradually to an extream heat ; and that one might not on a
fadden, from the cold room, enter into the hot one, but intermediately thro" the warm
one.

On the out side of the said places there were three portico's, one on the side where
the entrance was, which might be made towards the east or well; the other two
were, one on the right, and the other on the left; one placed towards the north, and the
other towards the south. That which faced the north, was double, and in breadth what
the columns were long. The other, facing the south, was limple, but much larger than
either os the abovelaid, and was divided in this manner: the soace of ten soot was lest
on the side of the columns, and on that "of the wall, which space is by Vitruvius
called the margin ; by two steps six foot broad, one descended into a ssoor, not less than
twelve soot in breadth, in which, during the winter seaibn, the wrestlers might exercife
themselves under cover, without being interrupted by thost that flood under the portico to
look on i who alio, by reaibn of the said lowness of the place where the wrestlers were,
could see better.
This portico was properly called Xifius. The Xijii were lb made, that between
two portico's there might be groves and plantations, and the streets between the trees paved
with mosaic work.
Near the X/Jhts, and the double portico, the covered places to walk in were designed,
by them called PcriJromis; in which, in winter, when the iky was ferene, the wrestlers
might exercise themselves The s.adiwn was on one side of this edifice, and was the
place where the multitude could Hand commodioully to see the wrestlers engage.
From this kind os edifices the Roman Emperors took example, who ordered the baths
to delight and please the people, as being places where men went to iccicue and w.uh
themselves; of which in the sollowing book I lhall treat, God willing.
A, TJie place where the boys were instruBed. ?.
B, The place-where the girls were injlruclcd.
C, The place where the welders powdered tbemsehtt,
X D, The