DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4266#0010
8 DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.
courses of the columns ; viz.—a vertical bond, by the courses rising alternately above each other, and
sometimes by a key, or dowel, inserted in the beds: the bonding of the work laterally, and the con-
struction of the columns in courses, with a core alternately octangular and circular, are shewn in fig. 5.
In the Temples of Greece, particularly in the Parthenon, iron cramps were universally employed.
In this temple, however, except in the capitals, no trace of cramps can be found: it was to supply
this deficiency that the vertical bond was used : the softness of the material, or possibly the increased
expense in so vast a building, may have occasioned the omission.
It was not by enlarging the dimension alone, that the Grecian architect attained magnificence
in his works ; but by additional features, suited to its scale and importance : as, in the productions of
nature, beauties characteristic of age and size are developed with their growth. Thus, in the temple at
Sunium, sixteen flutings sufficiently decorated its small and elegant column. In the more robust and
mature proportion of that of Paestum, twenty-four are employed, and seem appropriate to an edifice
of such increased dimension and antique character. In the present instance, a podium raised on four
steps, and a composite base to the columns, are new features, unexampled in this style of architect-
ure, but admirably suited to the increased scale and dignity of the order employed in this temple.
The flutings, as before quoted from Diodorus Siculus, were large enough, as in a niche, to re-
ceive a man, as shewn in fig. 1. The diameter is thirteen feet, the largest, it is presumed, ever
executed ; the echinus of the capital is formed of two large stones, each weighing twenty-one tons and
a half, held together with plugs or dowels by the centre stone of the abacus \
The abacus is composed of three stones, two of which are 11' 9" .375 long, 5' 0" wide, and
2' 9" .125 deep, and the centre stone 11' 9" .375 long, by 5' 9" .875 wide, and 2' 9" .125 deep. The con-
struction of the epistylia being 11' 0" .375 in height presented great difficulties to the architect; this
member of the order is constructed of three courses of large stones, averaging nine tons weight each;
the material not being strong enough nor of scantling sufficient to afford stones to carry from column
to column in the lower course, which would have required to be at least 17' 8" in length, the very
bold and unusual method described in the drawing was adopted.
Two stones, forming the lower course, are supported by a beam of hard wood inserted into
a dovetail channelb in the soffits, as shewn in fig. 2. The ends of these stones, placed between
the abacus and the superincumbent course in the manner of a corbel, sustained the upper part of the
entablature.
The triglyphs are in single stones, each weighing twelve tons one quarter, the metopes are
composed of two stones; on one of them are the remains of an inscription, ^ | [~ vC>2^ J-1, W?}>-
On each side of the triglyphs square holes are observed, which may have sustained a scaffolding,
or perhaps an ornament on the metopes. The stones composing the cornice are of extraordinary
length, weighing about ten tons three quarters each.
The horse-shoe-formed channels described in the section, fig. 2, shew the method by which
these enormous blocks were elevated; being, from the softness of the material, unable to bear the
lewis or forceps, which were commonly used in that period ; and which are discovered at Selinus where
the stone is stronger, and in the buildings of Greece generally. Those in the cornice with the
inclined channels also may be remarked, as shewing the method by which they were drawn back in
their places when elevated to the required height.
At the south-east angle of this temple are still existing the remains of one entire capital and
the epistylium above it, adhering together in a prodigious mass, and undisturbed since the destruction
of the temple ; comprising the capital, three courses of which the epistylium is composed, the moulding
at the back apparently the cornice of the interior, and the intermediate stone forming the lintel of the
a See fig. 12 of Plate VIII. session of tbe Canonico Raimondi at Girgenti.
b A piece of chestnut wood corresponding with this descrip- Winkelmann on Architecture, p. 31, cites Mr. Milne, as having
tion, and found inserted in a similar manner, is now in the pos- seen wooden cramps in this temple, "Ramponi di legno."
courses of the columns ; viz.—a vertical bond, by the courses rising alternately above each other, and
sometimes by a key, or dowel, inserted in the beds: the bonding of the work laterally, and the con-
struction of the columns in courses, with a core alternately octangular and circular, are shewn in fig. 5.
In the Temples of Greece, particularly in the Parthenon, iron cramps were universally employed.
In this temple, however, except in the capitals, no trace of cramps can be found: it was to supply
this deficiency that the vertical bond was used : the softness of the material, or possibly the increased
expense in so vast a building, may have occasioned the omission.
It was not by enlarging the dimension alone, that the Grecian architect attained magnificence
in his works ; but by additional features, suited to its scale and importance : as, in the productions of
nature, beauties characteristic of age and size are developed with their growth. Thus, in the temple at
Sunium, sixteen flutings sufficiently decorated its small and elegant column. In the more robust and
mature proportion of that of Paestum, twenty-four are employed, and seem appropriate to an edifice
of such increased dimension and antique character. In the present instance, a podium raised on four
steps, and a composite base to the columns, are new features, unexampled in this style of architect-
ure, but admirably suited to the increased scale and dignity of the order employed in this temple.
The flutings, as before quoted from Diodorus Siculus, were large enough, as in a niche, to re-
ceive a man, as shewn in fig. 1. The diameter is thirteen feet, the largest, it is presumed, ever
executed ; the echinus of the capital is formed of two large stones, each weighing twenty-one tons and
a half, held together with plugs or dowels by the centre stone of the abacus \
The abacus is composed of three stones, two of which are 11' 9" .375 long, 5' 0" wide, and
2' 9" .125 deep, and the centre stone 11' 9" .375 long, by 5' 9" .875 wide, and 2' 9" .125 deep. The con-
struction of the epistylia being 11' 0" .375 in height presented great difficulties to the architect; this
member of the order is constructed of three courses of large stones, averaging nine tons weight each;
the material not being strong enough nor of scantling sufficient to afford stones to carry from column
to column in the lower course, which would have required to be at least 17' 8" in length, the very
bold and unusual method described in the drawing was adopted.
Two stones, forming the lower course, are supported by a beam of hard wood inserted into
a dovetail channelb in the soffits, as shewn in fig. 2. The ends of these stones, placed between
the abacus and the superincumbent course in the manner of a corbel, sustained the upper part of the
entablature.
The triglyphs are in single stones, each weighing twelve tons one quarter, the metopes are
composed of two stones; on one of them are the remains of an inscription, ^ | [~ vC>2^ J-1, W?}>-
On each side of the triglyphs square holes are observed, which may have sustained a scaffolding,
or perhaps an ornament on the metopes. The stones composing the cornice are of extraordinary
length, weighing about ten tons three quarters each.
The horse-shoe-formed channels described in the section, fig. 2, shew the method by which
these enormous blocks were elevated; being, from the softness of the material, unable to bear the
lewis or forceps, which were commonly used in that period ; and which are discovered at Selinus where
the stone is stronger, and in the buildings of Greece generally. Those in the cornice with the
inclined channels also may be remarked, as shewing the method by which they were drawn back in
their places when elevated to the required height.
At the south-east angle of this temple are still existing the remains of one entire capital and
the epistylium above it, adhering together in a prodigious mass, and undisturbed since the destruction
of the temple ; comprising the capital, three courses of which the epistylium is composed, the moulding
at the back apparently the cornice of the interior, and the intermediate stone forming the lintel of the
a See fig. 12 of Plate VIII. session of tbe Canonico Raimondi at Girgenti.
b A piece of chestnut wood corresponding with this descrip- Winkelmann on Architecture, p. 31, cites Mr. Milne, as having
tion, and found inserted in a similar manner, is now in the pos- seen wooden cramps in this temple, "Ramponi di legno."