Smith, William: A smaller dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities (London, 1871)

COLUMNA.

102

COLUMNAR IOI.

Columns were used in the interior of build-
ings, to sustain the beams which supported

Ancient Columns.

the ceiling. Hows of columns were often em-
ployed within a building, to enclose a space
open to the sky. Beams supporting ceilings
passed from above the columns to the adjoin-
ing walls, so as to form covered passages or
ambulatories (cn-oai). Such a circuit of co-
lumns was called a peristyle (-nepLo-rvkov), and
the Roman atrium was built upon this plan.
The largest and most splendid temples en-
closed an open space like an atrium, which
was accomplished by placing one peristyle
upon another. In such cases, the lower rows
of columns being Doric, the upper were some-
times Ionic or Corinthian, the lighter being
properly based upon the heavier. A temple
so constructed was called hi/paethral (vnai-
fJpos). But it was on the exterior of public
buildings, and especially of temples, that co-
lumns were displayed in the most beautiful
combinations, either surrounding the building
entirely, or arranged in porticoes on one or
more of its fronts. [Templum.] Their ori-
ginal and proper use was, of course, to sup-
port the roof of the building ; and, amidst all
the elaborations of architectural design, this
object was still kept in view. On the summit
of the row of columns rests the architrave,
i. e. chief beam (emo-riikiov, epistylium): above
this is the//•(>::<: (fuiocidpos, fcu</>6pos, zophortis),
in which the most ancient order, namely the
Doric, shows, in its triglyphs, what were
originally the ends of the cross-beams : in
the other orders these ends are generally con-
cealed, and the frieze forms a fiat surface,

which is frequently ornamented by figures in
relief, whence its Greek name. Above the
frieze projects the cornice (Kopwvis, coronis or
corona), forming a handsome finish to the
entablature (for so these three members taken
together are called), and also, on the sides of
the building, serving to unite the ends of the
rafters of the roof. The triangular gable-end
of the roof, above the entablature, is called
the pediment. [Fastigiuji.] — Columns in
long rows were used in aquaeducts, and single
pillars were fixed in harbours for mooring
ships.'—Single columns were also erected to
commemorate persons or events. Among
these, some of the most remarkable were the
columnae rostratae, called by that name be-
cause three ship-beaks proceeded from each

Columna Rostrata. Columna Trajana.

side of them, designed to record successful
engagements at sea. The most important
and celebrated of those which yet remain, is
one erected in honour of the consul C. Duil-
lius, on occasion of his victory over the Car-
thaginian fleet, b.c. 261. Columns were also
employed to commemorate the dead. The
column on the right hand in the last wood-
cut exhibits that which the senate erected to
the honour of the Emperor Trajan. Similar
columns were erected to the memory of many
of the Roman emperors.

COLUMNARIUM, a tax imposed in the
time of Julius Caesar upon the pillars that
supported a house. The Ostiarium was a