DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45584#0047
Maiyamas.
329
the existing remains to scale, showing the level to which the podiums of the two temples
are buried, and to indicate the probable form of the buildings above the level which
is still preserved. In the execution of this scheme a very interesting result is produced;
for the smaller temple has an order of large scale, and the larger temple an order of
small scale, so that the former is taller than the latter. The minor details of these
buildings that are in place are of extraordinary interest, and it is a pity that the higher
details were not to be found; for the remains of the West Temple present the richest
elaboration in the treatment of base courses that has been found in any building in
the Hauran. A part of this is shown on large scale in the drawing of pilaster (D).
Here we see first, the topmost moulding of the podium the rest of which is buried;
and above, a broad set-off upon which is placed a sort of secondary podium consisting
of one plain course of stone surmounted by a cyma-reversa and a projecting fascia.
Above this the regular base-mouldings of the pilasters are carried around the entire
wall as a base-course. It is interesting to note that the torus mouldings of this base-
course are not curved in section, but polygonal, as is true of many Nabataean mouldings.
The mouldings of pilaster (E) in the East Temple are similar, their torus members are
curved in section, and they are also carried along the wall as a base-course. They
are set directly upon the top of the podium, the crowning member of which I was
able to find after a little digging. There is a low and dark cattle-shed built against
the north side of the East Temple, on the supposed site of its north porch. In the
southwest angle of this hovel, at the point (F) on the plan, I found a pilaster-base
set two courses higher than the regular base-moulding of the building, but was unable
to find its relation to the other mouldings. I took it as another indication that this
side must have been the main fagade of the temple. In the crude walls about this
group of buildings, and in the loose rubble which now fills the chief entrance of the
church, are numerous fragments of carving, two of which should be mentioned. One is
the lintel of the main church portal, which is a section of pulvinated frieze carved with
the guilloche ornament, like the frieze of the interior order of the Tychaion at is-Sana-
mfen \ and was probably the frieze of one of our temples here; the other is a fragment
of a charming little relief which still preserves two heads and part of one body set in
a mass of vine-leaves and fruit. Maiyamas, like is-Sanamen, is well worth the small
cost and trouble of a thorough examination with pick and shovel, in the interest of
the history of art in Syria during the early period of the Roman Empire.
92. SAHWIT IL-KHIDR.
A short distance to the south of Maiyamas is this village which contains no ancient
buildings, even in ruins, and is of interest only on account of the presence of a Naba-
taean inscription upon the abacus of a capital. This and several other fragments imply
the former existence in this place of a Nabataean building, probably a temple, or at
least a shrine; for the inscription is votive in character, and refers to a sanctuary.
The capital, a photograph of which is presented by Dr. Littmann 3 in Division IV\ is
of the moulded type common in the ruins of Sic. It is certainly not in situ; for it
now caps a short column carrying the springers of two Mediaeval pointed arches in
1 cf. Ill. 292. 1 2 IV. A, p. 72.
Publications of the Princeton University Archaeological Expeditions to Syria, Div. II, Sec. A, Pt. 4. 43
329
the existing remains to scale, showing the level to which the podiums of the two temples
are buried, and to indicate the probable form of the buildings above the level which
is still preserved. In the execution of this scheme a very interesting result is produced;
for the smaller temple has an order of large scale, and the larger temple an order of
small scale, so that the former is taller than the latter. The minor details of these
buildings that are in place are of extraordinary interest, and it is a pity that the higher
details were not to be found; for the remains of the West Temple present the richest
elaboration in the treatment of base courses that has been found in any building in
the Hauran. A part of this is shown on large scale in the drawing of pilaster (D).
Here we see first, the topmost moulding of the podium the rest of which is buried;
and above, a broad set-off upon which is placed a sort of secondary podium consisting
of one plain course of stone surmounted by a cyma-reversa and a projecting fascia.
Above this the regular base-mouldings of the pilasters are carried around the entire
wall as a base-course. It is interesting to note that the torus mouldings of this base-
course are not curved in section, but polygonal, as is true of many Nabataean mouldings.
The mouldings of pilaster (E) in the East Temple are similar, their torus members are
curved in section, and they are also carried along the wall as a base-course. They
are set directly upon the top of the podium, the crowning member of which I was
able to find after a little digging. There is a low and dark cattle-shed built against
the north side of the East Temple, on the supposed site of its north porch. In the
southwest angle of this hovel, at the point (F) on the plan, I found a pilaster-base
set two courses higher than the regular base-moulding of the building, but was unable
to find its relation to the other mouldings. I took it as another indication that this
side must have been the main fagade of the temple. In the crude walls about this
group of buildings, and in the loose rubble which now fills the chief entrance of the
church, are numerous fragments of carving, two of which should be mentioned. One is
the lintel of the main church portal, which is a section of pulvinated frieze carved with
the guilloche ornament, like the frieze of the interior order of the Tychaion at is-Sana-
mfen \ and was probably the frieze of one of our temples here; the other is a fragment
of a charming little relief which still preserves two heads and part of one body set in
a mass of vine-leaves and fruit. Maiyamas, like is-Sanamen, is well worth the small
cost and trouble of a thorough examination with pick and shovel, in the interest of
the history of art in Syria during the early period of the Roman Empire.
92. SAHWIT IL-KHIDR.
A short distance to the south of Maiyamas is this village which contains no ancient
buildings, even in ruins, and is of interest only on account of the presence of a Naba-
taean inscription upon the abacus of a capital. This and several other fragments imply
the former existence in this place of a Nabataean building, probably a temple, or at
least a shrine; for the inscription is votive in character, and refers to a sanctuary.
The capital, a photograph of which is presented by Dr. Littmann 3 in Division IV\ is
of the moulded type common in the ruins of Sic. It is certainly not in situ; for it
now caps a short column carrying the springers of two Mediaeval pointed arches in
1 cf. Ill. 292. 1 2 IV. A, p. 72.
Publications of the Princeton University Archaeological Expeditions to Syria, Div. II, Sec. A, Pt. 4. 43