DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45584#0074
35°
Division II Section A Part 5
capital of the column on the right of the middle as one enters, with its mouldings
returned horizontally from the angle, gives proof that this entablature was not arched
above the middle inter-columniation in the usual way (cf. Ill. 292), but in the manner
shown in Plate XXII. The architrave, which is drawn as plain in the elevation on
small scale (Pl. XXII), is, in reality, ornamented in the manner shown in the larger
detail of Plate XXIII. The small voussoir shown on the same plate is probably from
a relieving arch over the doorway. The outer arch is so wide that a frieze and cornice
carried over it along with the architrave in the manner which was usual in the Hauran
would elevate the crown to such a height that no raking cornice could be placed upon
it without departing from every precedent for pediment angles known in Syria, and I
believe Mr. Barnes’ restoration of the gable to be the only one possible. Whatever
minor differences of opinion may arise with regard to the restoration of the minor
details of this temple, its significant features remain to make it one of the most im-
portant buildings for the history of architecture in Syria. A plan of a temple presenting
a triply divided end opposite to the entrance i. e. a real sanctuary with side chambers,
and a naos triply divided by rows of columns, is sufficiently suggestive; but a temple
spanned by a series of transverse arches and roofed all over with slabs of basalt is
indeed to be regarded as a prototype of one of the great branches of Christian
architecture.
Odeion. On the eastern bank of the stream, about opposite the middle of the
town, and at the foot of a rocky precipice, is the little theatre, or Odeion, which is
shown on Rey’s map (Pl. XXI), and is mentioned, without plan or other illustration, by
a number of travellers. Professor Briinnow 1 gives a plan of it with a scale drawing of
seat and steps, and I am republishing the monument from my own measurements, adding
a section in elevation and other drawings of details (Ill. 316). The koilon is partly
cut into the natural rock and partly built up at both ends; none of the seats is actually
carved out of the solid rock. Seven rows of seats are plainly visible in the ruins
(Ill. 314), an eighth is to be seen near the middle at the top, and a ninth was found
under the loose wall of broken stone that now extends across the upper part of the
koilon. It is probable that there were several more rows. The podium is preserved
throughout its entire curve in a base moulding and one high course of stone, and the
cap moulding is in place at several points. An inscription 3 in fine large Greek letters
was carved just below the cap-moulding, and apparently extended around the whole
semicircle. The only approach from the orchestra to the seats that I could find was
a double flight of steps in the middle of the podium where there is a narrow opening
in the wall and steps ascending on either hand. Two klimakes divide the semicircle
of seats into three cunei, and traces of two other flights of steps were found at the
ends of the semicircle.
Nothing whatever remains of the stage buildings except very thick foundation walls;
but the walls of a parodos on either side of the orchestra show that there were vaulted
passages opening upon the orchestra by arches with pilasters set 3.80 m. back from
the ends of the podium. I have shown the plan of the parodos on the right and have
indicated seats extending over that on the left. A well-made ditch, lined with slabs,
runs between the remaining walls of the parados and the ruins of the stage building.
’ P. A. Ill, p. 141.
2 Wadd. 2341.
Division II Section A Part 5
capital of the column on the right of the middle as one enters, with its mouldings
returned horizontally from the angle, gives proof that this entablature was not arched
above the middle inter-columniation in the usual way (cf. Ill. 292), but in the manner
shown in Plate XXII. The architrave, which is drawn as plain in the elevation on
small scale (Pl. XXII), is, in reality, ornamented in the manner shown in the larger
detail of Plate XXIII. The small voussoir shown on the same plate is probably from
a relieving arch over the doorway. The outer arch is so wide that a frieze and cornice
carried over it along with the architrave in the manner which was usual in the Hauran
would elevate the crown to such a height that no raking cornice could be placed upon
it without departing from every precedent for pediment angles known in Syria, and I
believe Mr. Barnes’ restoration of the gable to be the only one possible. Whatever
minor differences of opinion may arise with regard to the restoration of the minor
details of this temple, its significant features remain to make it one of the most im-
portant buildings for the history of architecture in Syria. A plan of a temple presenting
a triply divided end opposite to the entrance i. e. a real sanctuary with side chambers,
and a naos triply divided by rows of columns, is sufficiently suggestive; but a temple
spanned by a series of transverse arches and roofed all over with slabs of basalt is
indeed to be regarded as a prototype of one of the great branches of Christian
architecture.
Odeion. On the eastern bank of the stream, about opposite the middle of the
town, and at the foot of a rocky precipice, is the little theatre, or Odeion, which is
shown on Rey’s map (Pl. XXI), and is mentioned, without plan or other illustration, by
a number of travellers. Professor Briinnow 1 gives a plan of it with a scale drawing of
seat and steps, and I am republishing the monument from my own measurements, adding
a section in elevation and other drawings of details (Ill. 316). The koilon is partly
cut into the natural rock and partly built up at both ends; none of the seats is actually
carved out of the solid rock. Seven rows of seats are plainly visible in the ruins
(Ill. 314), an eighth is to be seen near the middle at the top, and a ninth was found
under the loose wall of broken stone that now extends across the upper part of the
koilon. It is probable that there were several more rows. The podium is preserved
throughout its entire curve in a base moulding and one high course of stone, and the
cap moulding is in place at several points. An inscription 3 in fine large Greek letters
was carved just below the cap-moulding, and apparently extended around the whole
semicircle. The only approach from the orchestra to the seats that I could find was
a double flight of steps in the middle of the podium where there is a narrow opening
in the wall and steps ascending on either hand. Two klimakes divide the semicircle
of seats into three cunei, and traces of two other flights of steps were found at the
ends of the semicircle.
Nothing whatever remains of the stage buildings except very thick foundation walls;
but the walls of a parodos on either side of the orchestra show that there were vaulted
passages opening upon the orchestra by arches with pilasters set 3.80 m. back from
the ends of the podium. I have shown the plan of the parodos on the right and have
indicated seats extending over that on the left. A well-made ditch, lined with slabs,
runs between the remaining walls of the parados and the ruins of the stage building.
’ P. A. Ill, p. 141.
2 Wadd. 2341.