DOI Artikel:
Kowalski, Sławomir P.: The praetorium of the camp of Diocletian on Palmyra
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26419#0083
Studia Palmyreńskie IX, 1994
55
northern limit of the court. I believe, however, that it must have been closed somewhere near the south-
eastern corner of the cella of Allat.
There were two small rooms on the western side of the court, A14 and A15-16. The first one was
paved with limestone slabs and it probably served as a kitchen. I believe so, though there was no direct
evidence to support such an identification. It was, however, the most suitable place for a kitchen as it
was rather isolated and open to the court. The function of the neighboring A15-16 is uncertain. It seems
to have been completely open towards the yard. It was also floored with plaster.
In the south the rear court was limited by two earlier contubernia, i.e. A8 and A9. The two rooms
were divided by a low wall with five mangers in it. Therefore it might be inferred that the rooms served
as a stable for animals and a storeroom. Both rooms were paved. A8 seems to have been more
important as it communicated with residential section through the passage under the stairs. There was
also a rectangular construction in the south-western corner and a storage jar beneath the floor level. In
one of the slabs ten shallow holes were bored, which probably served for some game 12.
WATER SUPPLY
It seems that there was no water supply in the house, at least at that stage of occupation. Water must
have been taken from wells outside. The nearest one was at the south-western corner of the cella.
There was neither bathroom nor toilet within the house. Therefore it is possible that some of the
rooms of the domestic section also served for bathing.
METROLOGY AND RECONSTRUCTION OF DESIGN
Although, at a glance at the plan, the house looks very irregular, I believe that it was designed as a
reasonably regular building. I think that a Persian-Babylonian foot 13 was applied as a module (quantitas
or 7roaÔTijç - Vitr.1.2.1-2). That conclusion is based on the analysis of the following measurements:
12 It might, however, date back to the time when the room served as a contubemium for the soldiers.
13 The metrical value of that foot is 0.33 m (Lehmann-Haupt 1929: 1961-1962).
55
northern limit of the court. I believe, however, that it must have been closed somewhere near the south-
eastern corner of the cella of Allat.
There were two small rooms on the western side of the court, A14 and A15-16. The first one was
paved with limestone slabs and it probably served as a kitchen. I believe so, though there was no direct
evidence to support such an identification. It was, however, the most suitable place for a kitchen as it
was rather isolated and open to the court. The function of the neighboring A15-16 is uncertain. It seems
to have been completely open towards the yard. It was also floored with plaster.
In the south the rear court was limited by two earlier contubernia, i.e. A8 and A9. The two rooms
were divided by a low wall with five mangers in it. Therefore it might be inferred that the rooms served
as a stable for animals and a storeroom. Both rooms were paved. A8 seems to have been more
important as it communicated with residential section through the passage under the stairs. There was
also a rectangular construction in the south-western corner and a storage jar beneath the floor level. In
one of the slabs ten shallow holes were bored, which probably served for some game 12.
WATER SUPPLY
It seems that there was no water supply in the house, at least at that stage of occupation. Water must
have been taken from wells outside. The nearest one was at the south-western corner of the cella.
There was neither bathroom nor toilet within the house. Therefore it is possible that some of the
rooms of the domestic section also served for bathing.
METROLOGY AND RECONSTRUCTION OF DESIGN
Although, at a glance at the plan, the house looks very irregular, I believe that it was designed as a
reasonably regular building. I think that a Persian-Babylonian foot 13 was applied as a module (quantitas
or 7roaÔTijç - Vitr.1.2.1-2). That conclusion is based on the analysis of the following measurements:
12 It might, however, date back to the time when the room served as a contubemium for the soldiers.
13 The metrical value of that foot is 0.33 m (Lehmann-Haupt 1929: 1961-1962).