DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4266#0037
4 VIEW OF THE PItOPYL/EA AT ATHENS.
The wings of the Propyl asa were certainly designed and executed simultaneously with the great
central porticos, a fact which is proved by the masonry at the angles ofthe steps, and at the junction of the
intersecting walls, as well as by the style and workmanship of the mouldings and other details of the
wings themselves. The ruined state of the southern wing renders it hopeless to point out its exact original
plan, but it is clearly evident, that within the columns in antis it was not in any uniformity with the
opposite, or northern wing. In our view is represented the appearance of the remains of the steps in
front of this southern wing, on the highest of which may be observed the slight indication ofthe original
place of a column corresponding with the third and most western column of the opposite wing. This
mark is caused by a circular sinking cut on the step about one eighth of an inch deep, to receive the
column, which, with other sunk-work, may have been intended, at the ultimate completion of the
building, to be obliterated, by further smooth tooling and polishing. By means also of a square
sinking the position of an anta, or pier, is apparent, which has next to the edge of the block, a sort of lip
cut like a water drip, as if it had been external to the west; but, on the other hand, the marks of
cramping at the courses below, show that the level ofthe upper step was continued. It is remarkable,
that the remaining southern anta and the indicated place of this pier near it, on the same level, did
not range with the position of the column in front, as incorrectly represented in the plan of Revett;
and there are traces ofthe former existence of a metal railing or gate between the place ofthe column
and that of the pier, which has been supposed to have originally parted off a side passage, between a
western external wall, (corresponding to that still perfect at the north wing,) and the column formerly
standing where its place is marked in our plate. This passage might have been an advantageous private
entrance to the Acropolis, when it may have been necessary to close the great gates of the Propyljea.
By the view it is evident that no remains exist to determine the original formation of the
space fronting the steps between the wings, but on inspecting the details ofthe workmanship of the
upright foundations beneath the outer steps, and bearing in mind, that the principal features of the design
produced three converging flights of steps, it may thence be confidently inferred, that a level platform
formerly had existence between the projecting wings ; but how accommodated to the carriage-way
cannot now be decided.
It would appear from remaining fragments, and the character of the horizontal moulding of a
part of the cornice in its place, that these wings were originally surmounted with pediments facing
each other.
Regarding other parts of the Propylasa, we have to remark, that the interior Ionic columns
did not, as Le Roy and Revett reasonably conjectured from their diameter and height, stand on
pedestals; but on Attic bases, placed on the level ofthe upper step, similar to those of the Propyla^a of
Eleusis % which edifice, with the exception of not having wings, was nearly a fac-simile of that at Athens.
With respect to the great pedestal inscribed to Agrippa, in front of the anta at the south-west angle
ofthe north wing of the Propyla?ab, to which it is not parallel, we are of opinion, from the consideration
of the form of the ascent, and the now well ascertained site of the little Ionic temple of Victoria
Apteros, that there never existed another similar pedestal in uniformity with it.
The Propylsea, like many edifices of antiquity, never arrived at perfect completion ; this the
projections and sinkings on the steps shew, as well as bosses that are indicated in the plate, pro-
jecting from many parts of the masonryc.
a Unedited Antiquities of Attica, Chap. II. Plate 11. belonging to the Propylaca, shewing in front a part of the in-
b See original remarks on this structure, by the author, in a terior painted cornice, with marks of the colour not yet obli-
note of Vol. II. p. 106. of the new edition of Stuart and Revett's terated; and at the back is a part of a boss or handle-block
Antiquities of Athens, 182(5. used in lifting the marble, left protruding beyond the unfinished
c In the British Museum, among the Elgin Marbles, is a block opposite face of the partition wall. V. Room 15, No. 308.
The wings of the Propyl asa were certainly designed and executed simultaneously with the great
central porticos, a fact which is proved by the masonry at the angles ofthe steps, and at the junction of the
intersecting walls, as well as by the style and workmanship of the mouldings and other details of the
wings themselves. The ruined state of the southern wing renders it hopeless to point out its exact original
plan, but it is clearly evident, that within the columns in antis it was not in any uniformity with the
opposite, or northern wing. In our view is represented the appearance of the remains of the steps in
front of this southern wing, on the highest of which may be observed the slight indication ofthe original
place of a column corresponding with the third and most western column of the opposite wing. This
mark is caused by a circular sinking cut on the step about one eighth of an inch deep, to receive the
column, which, with other sunk-work, may have been intended, at the ultimate completion of the
building, to be obliterated, by further smooth tooling and polishing. By means also of a square
sinking the position of an anta, or pier, is apparent, which has next to the edge of the block, a sort of lip
cut like a water drip, as if it had been external to the west; but, on the other hand, the marks of
cramping at the courses below, show that the level ofthe upper step was continued. It is remarkable,
that the remaining southern anta and the indicated place of this pier near it, on the same level, did
not range with the position of the column in front, as incorrectly represented in the plan of Revett;
and there are traces ofthe former existence of a metal railing or gate between the place ofthe column
and that of the pier, which has been supposed to have originally parted off a side passage, between a
western external wall, (corresponding to that still perfect at the north wing,) and the column formerly
standing where its place is marked in our plate. This passage might have been an advantageous private
entrance to the Acropolis, when it may have been necessary to close the great gates of the Propyljea.
By the view it is evident that no remains exist to determine the original formation of the
space fronting the steps between the wings, but on inspecting the details ofthe workmanship of the
upright foundations beneath the outer steps, and bearing in mind, that the principal features of the design
produced three converging flights of steps, it may thence be confidently inferred, that a level platform
formerly had existence between the projecting wings ; but how accommodated to the carriage-way
cannot now be decided.
It would appear from remaining fragments, and the character of the horizontal moulding of a
part of the cornice in its place, that these wings were originally surmounted with pediments facing
each other.
Regarding other parts of the Propylasa, we have to remark, that the interior Ionic columns
did not, as Le Roy and Revett reasonably conjectured from their diameter and height, stand on
pedestals; but on Attic bases, placed on the level ofthe upper step, similar to those of the Propyla^a of
Eleusis % which edifice, with the exception of not having wings, was nearly a fac-simile of that at Athens.
With respect to the great pedestal inscribed to Agrippa, in front of the anta at the south-west angle
ofthe north wing of the Propyla?ab, to which it is not parallel, we are of opinion, from the consideration
of the form of the ascent, and the now well ascertained site of the little Ionic temple of Victoria
Apteros, that there never existed another similar pedestal in uniformity with it.
The Propylsea, like many edifices of antiquity, never arrived at perfect completion ; this the
projections and sinkings on the steps shew, as well as bosses that are indicated in the plate, pro-
jecting from many parts of the masonryc.
a Unedited Antiquities of Attica, Chap. II. Plate 11. belonging to the Propylaca, shewing in front a part of the in-
b See original remarks on this structure, by the author, in a terior painted cornice, with marks of the colour not yet obli-
note of Vol. II. p. 106. of the new edition of Stuart and Revett's terated; and at the back is a part of a boss or handle-block
Antiquities of Athens, 182(5. used in lifting the marble, left protruding beyond the unfinished
c In the British Museum, among the Elgin Marbles, is a block opposite face of the partition wall. V. Room 15, No. 308.