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#0080
52 Sławomir P. Kowalski - The Praetorium of the Camp of Diocletian in Palmyra
The planks probably had to be protected by a layer of straw, reeds or leaves. No remains of upper
storey floors were found in the house. Such remains, however, were found in one of the rooms of a
barrack along the south-western side of the via praetoria. There, the floor of the upper storey was made
of a layer of grey mortar mixed with pieces of broken tiles (for the ground floor crushed stones were
mostly used). This layer was covered with a thin stratum of white mortar. The discovered remains of
the floor there probably date back to the Umayyad or Abbasid period. Nevertheless, I do not think the
technique was much different in the Byzantine period.
ROOF
I firmly believe that the roof of the house was flat, as it might be indicated by the absence of tiles.
I also think that it was built just as the ceilings were. Probably, some thick clay layer was applied over
the wooden construction (planks laid over beams fitted into sockets in a wall). The traditional roof
construction is described by O. Aurenche (Aurenche 1981: 154, fig. 125) and G. Deraprahamian
(Deraprahamian 1982: 116, fig. 2).
DOOR AND WINDOW OPENINGS
No door or window openings were preserved in the house. I think, however, that they were
surmounted by wooden lintels and arches of sun-dried bricks over them to discharge the pressure of a
wall. This technique is well attested in the traditional architecture of Palmyra and its vicinity.
3. SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT
A. THE FUNCTION OF THE HOUSE
As very few small fmds were discovered in the building and those date back mainly to the last stage
of occupation, it is very difficult to determine the original function of particular rooms. I believe,
however, that it might be easier once the original function of the complex is determined. I am convinced
that it was not an ordinary house, but a residence of the commander of the legion stationed in the camp.
It is known from the Notitia Dignitatum (Or. XXXII. 30) that praefectus legionis I Illyricorum was stationed
in Palmyra. I think that the discovered house was best suited for that purpose as it was the only peristyle
house unearthed in the camp so far, quite close to theprincipia building (Gawlikowski 1984). Moreover,
The planks probably had to be protected by a layer of straw, reeds or leaves. No remains of upper
storey floors were found in the house. Such remains, however, were found in one of the rooms of a
barrack along the south-western side of the via praetoria. There, the floor of the upper storey was made
of a layer of grey mortar mixed with pieces of broken tiles (for the ground floor crushed stones were
mostly used). This layer was covered with a thin stratum of white mortar. The discovered remains of
the floor there probably date back to the Umayyad or Abbasid period. Nevertheless, I do not think the
technique was much different in the Byzantine period.
ROOF
I firmly believe that the roof of the house was flat, as it might be indicated by the absence of tiles.
I also think that it was built just as the ceilings were. Probably, some thick clay layer was applied over
the wooden construction (planks laid over beams fitted into sockets in a wall). The traditional roof
construction is described by O. Aurenche (Aurenche 1981: 154, fig. 125) and G. Deraprahamian
(Deraprahamian 1982: 116, fig. 2).
DOOR AND WINDOW OPENINGS
No door or window openings were preserved in the house. I think, however, that they were
surmounted by wooden lintels and arches of sun-dried bricks over them to discharge the pressure of a
wall. This technique is well attested in the traditional architecture of Palmyra and its vicinity.
3. SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT
A. THE FUNCTION OF THE HOUSE
As very few small fmds were discovered in the building and those date back mainly to the last stage
of occupation, it is very difficult to determine the original function of particular rooms. I believe,
however, that it might be easier once the original function of the complex is determined. I am convinced
that it was not an ordinary house, but a residence of the commander of the legion stationed in the camp.
It is known from the Notitia Dignitatum (Or. XXXII. 30) that praefectus legionis I Illyricorum was stationed
in Palmyra. I think that the discovered house was best suited for that purpose as it was the only peristyle
house unearthed in the camp so far, quite close to theprincipia building (Gawlikowski 1984). Moreover,