Pennethorne, John; Robinson, John [Ill.]: The geometry and optics of ancient architecture: illustrated by examples from Thebes, Athens, and Rome (London [u.a.], 1878)

32

THE FIRST GIVEN PROPORTIONS.

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v

CHAPTEE IV.

POSITION.

The Greek idea of enclosing sacred edifices with walls and Propylsea, and of marking the
roads of approach to them by works of Sculpture, sanctuaries, altars, tombs, et cet., appears
to have been derived from Egypt; thus some of the Pyramids were surrounded by square
enclosures and gigantic gateways, others by rows of massive tombs; also to each Pyramid the
principal road of approach was distinctly marked either by Sphinxes or by tombs.

Again, in the ruins of Karnak and of Luxor at Thebes, the roads of approach are
marked by long lines of Sphinxes leading up to magnificent Propylaea, with their statues,
flags, and obelisks, marking the entrance to the Temple or the Palace; and it was the same
hi every Egyptian work; the spectator was led to approach the design from certain pre-
determined Positions.

Rg.l. Egyptian Temple. In the Egyptian examples, Fig. 1, the Propylaea and

In m ______ roads of approach are placed centrally, and the spectator

Ii"H "lT « ::: -1 enters at once into the inner courts and halls of the
Temple, which are enriched with columns, statues, and
paintings. The design is arranged more for internal than external effect; within all is
enriched, but externally the appearance is that of massive towers and walls, with their
appropriate Sculpture.

The Grecian Temples, Fig. 2,
were generally surrounded by ex-
ternal colonnades, supporting an
entablature enriched with Sculp-
tures both in the frieze and in the
pediments; and the external ap-
pearance of the design was care-
fully studied, as well as the position
it was intended to occupy.

Tig. 2, Grecian Temple,

with two ang ular views A and B