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

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE. 217

CHAPTER I.

THE PROPORTIONS

PLATE I.

THE CORINTHIAN MONUMENT OF LYSICRATES.

(b.c. 335.)

The inscription upon the Monument of Lysicrates shows that it was raised in the archonship
of Evaenetus, who held that office when Alexander the Great passed over into Asia, or ahout
the year b.c. 335.

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It is probably one of the earliest specimens of the Corinthian order, and possesses a
special interest, as being the only existing Monument in Athens of the Corinthian order
executed during the best period of Grecian Art.

It is also an example of a Greek design, the same as the South Portico of the
Erechtheium, in which the vertical corrections upon the first given design are omitted, and
the Entablature alone is perspectively designed to suit a given point of view.

The ornaments also are sculptured the same as in the Erechtheium, and, I believe, no
traces of colour have been found to exist externally upon them. In both these respects it is
similar in design to the Roman Corinthian Porticoes, and thus becomes, with the South
Portico of the Erechtheium, a connecting link between the Architecture of Greece and of
Rome, and serves as an introduction to Roman Architecture.

The General Given Proportions of the Monument of Lysicrates. (Fig. 1.)

The circular Monument rests upon a square plinth, the cornice of which, AB, = 129*59 ins.
in length ; then divide AB into 64 aliquot parts.