DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4263#0067
66
OF A STOA OR PORTICO AT ATHENS.
„«*■
The external walls inclose a large quadrangular space of SjG feet one inch in length, and 252
feet in breadth. The front looks nearly wnw. ; or, to be more exact, it lies 28° 20', east of north,
and west of south. In the middle of it are the remains of a gate or entrance, to which they formerly
ascended by a flight of six steps. The whole extent of this front is ornamented with Corinthian
columns, and is terminated at each extremity by a pteroma, or projecting wall, which is faced with
a Corinthian pilaster.
Originally the number of these columns was eighteen; they were disposed in the following
manner. Four of them, which were fluted, were placed in the middle of the front on the uppermost
step; they supported an entablature and pediment, and formed a portal or portico" before the gate.
On either side of this was a range of seven columns whose shafts were not fluted ; they were placed
each on its proper pedestal, the top of which was exactly level with the uppermost step of the portal.
The north-easterly half of this front, with its columns, pedestals and entablature, are not much
defaced ; but the south-western column of the portal, with that angle of the entablature which it sup-
ported, are wanting; and there are besides no remains of the cornice which was over the tympanum
of the pediment. That half of the front which lies south-westerly of the portal is much ruined,
but great part of the wall is yet remaining there, together with the seven pedestals, and some fragments
of the columns which were placed on them ; all which are in their original situations. The antee or*
pilasters of the portal are entire, as are also those pteromata or wings which limit each extremity to this
front and determine its utmost extent.
The two lateral walls were most probably similar to each other; that which is on the north-east-
ern side of the quadrangle remains sufficiently entire to shew what its general form has been. On the
outside of this wall are three remarkable projections : that in the middle is rectangular, and has pro-
bably been an entrance ; those on each side of it are semicircular, and appear to have been what Vi-
truvius calls exhedree: they form recesses on the inside of the quadrangle, somewhat resembling those
■
oeiL
have been peculiarly acceptable : it corresponded with the
Thermre of the Romans, and the enclosure or peribolus of the
Baths of Dioclesian had similar exhedroe or recesses. The por-
tico within consisted of a double row of columns, one of the ex-
ternal shafts of which remained in its place, which is of Pente-
lic marble, but as Pausanias mentions columns of Phrygian
marble, the proof of the former existence of columns of that
species was in some measure necessary to confirm the designation
of the edifice, though from the spoliation of Athens by subsequent
emperors and invaders, such a discovery were almost hopeless.
This desideratum has been however accomplished through the
exertions of the Earl of Guildford (to whom the Ionian Isles,
under our protecting government^ and Greece in general, are so
greatly indebted for his ardour in diffusing among their interest-
ing population the benefits of education and moral culture), who
was permitted to excavate within the precincts of the residence of
the Waivode of Athens, now standing on the site of the ruins,
when columns of Phrygian marble were discovered within an
accumulation of soil in some parts thirty feet above the original
pavement. This point being settled, we have next to observe
that the resemblance in the style of design of the Corinthian
order of this monument to that of the Arch of Hadrian, is re-
markable. Insulated columns raised on pedestals detached from
the walls are common to both, the entablature instead of being
continued uninterruptedly, as in the best age of Greek archi-
tecture, is made to break round the capitals of the columns alike
in each; and at this building probably supported statues, as at
the Arch of Constantine at Rome. The members of the archi-
trave are alike in both edifices, and each is without a third fascia.
The mouldings of the abacus of the capitals in each are conti-
nued along the walls under the architraves. The introduction
of rustication behind the columns, and a similarity of execution
in the capitals, display also with the above particularities, a similar
date of style not to be controverted. The arch and fragments of
three columns surmounted with rude capitals of a subsequent
age, now in attachment with the Greek church called Megale
Panaghia in the central part of the enclosure or peribolus, we
cannot suppose, as has been imagined, to have formed part of a
temple of Jupiter Panellenius, on account of the introduction of
the arch, and the inferiority of the style and dimensions: but
these ruins may have belonged to the library alluded to in the
above cited passage of Pausanias. Thus from the above coin-
ciding circumstances the whole edifice in question may be consi-
dered to be that structure described by the ancient Greek topo-
grapher ; but this, as well as other hitherto disputed points, will
possibly be more fully cleared up by the enquiries of future tra-
vellers, who, unobstructed and unmolested by a Turkish popula-
tion, and with opportunity of unsuspected access to the interior
habitations of Athens, may discover inscriptions, fragments, and
foundations, solving many points of antiquarian doubt. On
the ruin before us we feel no hesitation in concluding with
recent topographical writers that it was a part of the " 0EOIS
TOIX nAXIN 'lEPON K01NON " of Pausanias, or ' Sanctuary
common to all the gods,' built by Hadrian. We may therefore
with propriety denominate it THE PANTHEON OF HA-
DRIAN.—See Wheler's, Chandler's, Clarke's, and Dodwell's
Travels in Greece, Gell's Itinerary, and Leeke's and Wilkins's
Topography of Athens. [ed.J
» A portico is properly what the Grecians called a stoa: it was
a quadrangular space, with a colonnade or peristyle round its in-
side. As the building treated of in this chapter is supposed to
be of that kind, we shall, to avoid ambiguity, call the ornament
of columns which is placed before this gateway, a portal.
Perhaps this word will, on all occasions, best express that
piece of architecture so frequently placed before the door or en-
trance of any building
tico.
■
though it'is more generally called a por-
OF A STOA OR PORTICO AT ATHENS.
„«*■
The external walls inclose a large quadrangular space of SjG feet one inch in length, and 252
feet in breadth. The front looks nearly wnw. ; or, to be more exact, it lies 28° 20', east of north,
and west of south. In the middle of it are the remains of a gate or entrance, to which they formerly
ascended by a flight of six steps. The whole extent of this front is ornamented with Corinthian
columns, and is terminated at each extremity by a pteroma, or projecting wall, which is faced with
a Corinthian pilaster.
Originally the number of these columns was eighteen; they were disposed in the following
manner. Four of them, which were fluted, were placed in the middle of the front on the uppermost
step; they supported an entablature and pediment, and formed a portal or portico" before the gate.
On either side of this was a range of seven columns whose shafts were not fluted ; they were placed
each on its proper pedestal, the top of which was exactly level with the uppermost step of the portal.
The north-easterly half of this front, with its columns, pedestals and entablature, are not much
defaced ; but the south-western column of the portal, with that angle of the entablature which it sup-
ported, are wanting; and there are besides no remains of the cornice which was over the tympanum
of the pediment. That half of the front which lies south-westerly of the portal is much ruined,
but great part of the wall is yet remaining there, together with the seven pedestals, and some fragments
of the columns which were placed on them ; all which are in their original situations. The antee or*
pilasters of the portal are entire, as are also those pteromata or wings which limit each extremity to this
front and determine its utmost extent.
The two lateral walls were most probably similar to each other; that which is on the north-east-
ern side of the quadrangle remains sufficiently entire to shew what its general form has been. On the
outside of this wall are three remarkable projections : that in the middle is rectangular, and has pro-
bably been an entrance ; those on each side of it are semicircular, and appear to have been what Vi-
truvius calls exhedree: they form recesses on the inside of the quadrangle, somewhat resembling those
■
oeiL
have been peculiarly acceptable : it corresponded with the
Thermre of the Romans, and the enclosure or peribolus of the
Baths of Dioclesian had similar exhedroe or recesses. The por-
tico within consisted of a double row of columns, one of the ex-
ternal shafts of which remained in its place, which is of Pente-
lic marble, but as Pausanias mentions columns of Phrygian
marble, the proof of the former existence of columns of that
species was in some measure necessary to confirm the designation
of the edifice, though from the spoliation of Athens by subsequent
emperors and invaders, such a discovery were almost hopeless.
This desideratum has been however accomplished through the
exertions of the Earl of Guildford (to whom the Ionian Isles,
under our protecting government^ and Greece in general, are so
greatly indebted for his ardour in diffusing among their interest-
ing population the benefits of education and moral culture), who
was permitted to excavate within the precincts of the residence of
the Waivode of Athens, now standing on the site of the ruins,
when columns of Phrygian marble were discovered within an
accumulation of soil in some parts thirty feet above the original
pavement. This point being settled, we have next to observe
that the resemblance in the style of design of the Corinthian
order of this monument to that of the Arch of Hadrian, is re-
markable. Insulated columns raised on pedestals detached from
the walls are common to both, the entablature instead of being
continued uninterruptedly, as in the best age of Greek archi-
tecture, is made to break round the capitals of the columns alike
in each; and at this building probably supported statues, as at
the Arch of Constantine at Rome. The members of the archi-
trave are alike in both edifices, and each is without a third fascia.
The mouldings of the abacus of the capitals in each are conti-
nued along the walls under the architraves. The introduction
of rustication behind the columns, and a similarity of execution
in the capitals, display also with the above particularities, a similar
date of style not to be controverted. The arch and fragments of
three columns surmounted with rude capitals of a subsequent
age, now in attachment with the Greek church called Megale
Panaghia in the central part of the enclosure or peribolus, we
cannot suppose, as has been imagined, to have formed part of a
temple of Jupiter Panellenius, on account of the introduction of
the arch, and the inferiority of the style and dimensions: but
these ruins may have belonged to the library alluded to in the
above cited passage of Pausanias. Thus from the above coin-
ciding circumstances the whole edifice in question may be consi-
dered to be that structure described by the ancient Greek topo-
grapher ; but this, as well as other hitherto disputed points, will
possibly be more fully cleared up by the enquiries of future tra-
vellers, who, unobstructed and unmolested by a Turkish popula-
tion, and with opportunity of unsuspected access to the interior
habitations of Athens, may discover inscriptions, fragments, and
foundations, solving many points of antiquarian doubt. On
the ruin before us we feel no hesitation in concluding with
recent topographical writers that it was a part of the " 0EOIS
TOIX nAXIN 'lEPON K01NON " of Pausanias, or ' Sanctuary
common to all the gods,' built by Hadrian. We may therefore
with propriety denominate it THE PANTHEON OF HA-
DRIAN.—See Wheler's, Chandler's, Clarke's, and Dodwell's
Travels in Greece, Gell's Itinerary, and Leeke's and Wilkins's
Topography of Athens. [ed.J
» A portico is properly what the Grecians called a stoa: it was
a quadrangular space, with a colonnade or peristyle round its in-
side. As the building treated of in this chapter is supposed to
be of that kind, we shall, to avoid ambiguity, call the ornament
of columns which is placed before this gateway, a portal.
Perhaps this word will, on all occasions, best express that
piece of architecture so frequently placed before the door or en-
trance of any building
tico.
■
though it'is more generally called a por-