DOI article:
Kowalski, Sławomir P.: The praetorium of the camp of Diocletian on Palmyra
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26419#0079
Studia Palmyreńskie IX, 1994
51
ARCHES
I think that recess A4 was separated from room A3 by an arch. It seems that the rooms were not
higher than 3 m 8, so the stone socle of the wall probably served as an arch impost, if the arch was a full
semi-circle. It is also possible that arches surmounted door and window opennings.
PILLARS
In the central court of the house six columns were placed so as to form a peristyle. I think that they
supported wooden architraves 9.
FLOORS
On the ground level almost all the floors were made of stone slabs. It seems that the only exception
was the floor of room A4 (the floor was made of mortar). The flooring constituted mainly regular
squared slabs, except in room A2 which was paved with irregular pieces. The slabs were placed directly
upon beaten earth, levelled where necessary. I think that in vestibule A1 some slabs of the fourth century
pavement were preserved. The slabs paved also the front portico of the Allat temenos. I believe that
many of them were removed while building the northern wall of Al. After that the pavement was
probably repaired with irregular slabs.
No piece of the upper storey floor was found during the excavation. I suppose h was due to the fact
that when the house was rebuilt after the earthquake in the VI/VII century A.D. there was probably no
longer an upper storey and all the debris were removed.
CEILINGS
The excavation provided no evidence for reconstruction of ceilings in the house. However, it seems
to me that the simplest construction technique was applied i.e. small wooden planks laid upon wooden
beams fitted into sockets in the wall. It can still be observed in some traditional buildings in Palmyra
and its vicinity.
8 One might have an impression that the height of 3 m was not sufficient for such a big room as A3. I do not think so. The
height of the dining room in the Antiquities house in the Bel temenos is 3.40 m.
9 No stone architraves were found during the excavation. I do not believe that the columns were surmounted by arches as
their arrangement did not provide sufficient support for arches of sun-dried bricks.
51
ARCHES
I think that recess A4 was separated from room A3 by an arch. It seems that the rooms were not
higher than 3 m 8, so the stone socle of the wall probably served as an arch impost, if the arch was a full
semi-circle. It is also possible that arches surmounted door and window opennings.
PILLARS
In the central court of the house six columns were placed so as to form a peristyle. I think that they
supported wooden architraves 9.
FLOORS
On the ground level almost all the floors were made of stone slabs. It seems that the only exception
was the floor of room A4 (the floor was made of mortar). The flooring constituted mainly regular
squared slabs, except in room A2 which was paved with irregular pieces. The slabs were placed directly
upon beaten earth, levelled where necessary. I think that in vestibule A1 some slabs of the fourth century
pavement were preserved. The slabs paved also the front portico of the Allat temenos. I believe that
many of them were removed while building the northern wall of Al. After that the pavement was
probably repaired with irregular slabs.
No piece of the upper storey floor was found during the excavation. I suppose h was due to the fact
that when the house was rebuilt after the earthquake in the VI/VII century A.D. there was probably no
longer an upper storey and all the debris were removed.
CEILINGS
The excavation provided no evidence for reconstruction of ceilings in the house. However, it seems
to me that the simplest construction technique was applied i.e. small wooden planks laid upon wooden
beams fitted into sockets in the wall. It can still be observed in some traditional buildings in Palmyra
and its vicinity.
8 One might have an impression that the height of 3 m was not sufficient for such a big room as A3. I do not think so. The
height of the dining room in the Antiquities house in the Bel temenos is 3.40 m.
9 No stone architraves were found during the excavation. I do not believe that the columns were surmounted by arches as
their arrangement did not provide sufficient support for arches of sun-dried bricks.