DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45605#0070
306
Division II Section B Part 6
thickness and their openings are of normal dimensions. The arches of the nave are
nine in number and were nearly 4 m. wide; but the columns are of a normal diameter
though somewhat higher than in ordinary church structures. For these reasons this
church must have given the effect of being very large. The restoration of the west
facade (Ill. 338) must be correct up to its gable which is conjectural; for, as the
photograph (Ill. 336) shows, the base of one of the colonettes is in place, and all of
one of the half colonettes in standing. This gives us an arrangement not unlike the
west facade of the church at Kasr il-Benat which has other things in common with this
church. I have omitted the columnar west porch, or narthex, in my restoration although
fallen columns lie in front of the church. The only details here worthy of special
mention are the great middle portal and the triple-arched opening above it. The
former is very dignified in design, and, with its moulded jambs and lintel, its plain
frieze, and its overhanging moulded cornice supported on brackets, may be taken as
an early Christian translation of a Classic temple portal. The flat relieving arch
above it is an interesting feature in construction. It will be observed that the base of
the colonnette which supported two of the arches of the upper storey has the form of
a late Doric capital having its echinus carved with egg-and-dart. This kind of ornament
has been found only in buildings of the fourth century.
There is perhaps less to be said about the Section A—B also shown in 1111. 338,.
Division II Section B Part 6
thickness and their openings are of normal dimensions. The arches of the nave are
nine in number and were nearly 4 m. wide; but the columns are of a normal diameter
though somewhat higher than in ordinary church structures. For these reasons this
church must have given the effect of being very large. The restoration of the west
facade (Ill. 338) must be correct up to its gable which is conjectural; for, as the
photograph (Ill. 336) shows, the base of one of the colonettes is in place, and all of
one of the half colonettes in standing. This gives us an arrangement not unlike the
west facade of the church at Kasr il-Benat which has other things in common with this
church. I have omitted the columnar west porch, or narthex, in my restoration although
fallen columns lie in front of the church. The only details here worthy of special
mention are the great middle portal and the triple-arched opening above it. The
former is very dignified in design, and, with its moulded jambs and lintel, its plain
frieze, and its overhanging moulded cornice supported on brackets, may be taken as
an early Christian translation of a Classic temple portal. The flat relieving arch
above it is an interesting feature in construction. It will be observed that the base of
the colonnette which supported two of the arches of the upper storey has the form of
a late Doric capital having its echinus carved with egg-and-dart. This kind of ornament
has been found only in buildings of the fourth century.
There is perhaps less to be said about the Section A—B also shown in 1111. 338,.