DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45605#0110
Simkhar
335
the former two hundred years perhaps after its completion (Ill. 382). The basilica is
very long in proportion to its width. Its nave its divided into six ordinary bays by
two rows of five columns each (Ill. 383) carrying six arches. But the responds at the
east end of the arcades project forward a distance almost equal to another bay, and
terminate in engaged columns. The bema was situated between these two projecting
walls, and the chancel rail connected their ends. This is still in place, but it is im-
possible to examine it carefully because the fall of the clearstorey walls has buried it
in debris. The apse is quite small, but its half dome is in place, although threatened
by a fig tree which has filled it with twisted branches. On the north of the apse is a
small diaconicon; on the south, and connecting directly with the apse, is the prothesis
which has been doubled in size by an addition to the east. The arch of the prothesis
is probably later than the original building of the church. To the south of this enlarged
prothesis is the later chapel. The structure of the walls of the church is a massive
double faced ashlar with uneven courses and oblique joints often verging upon polygonal
masonry. The doorways, of which there are three in the south wall, are perfectly
plain, and in some cases have monolithic jambs. The windows of the clearstorey are
rectangular, and the wall between them is massive and irregular. The columns of the
nave arcade which is standing are rather stout and thick. All but one of them carry
Ionic capitals of the earliest fourth-century type; the other is Doric. The arches are
not stilted, but the impost block, cut to receive two voussoirs, is not so thick as the
rest of the arch above it, the extra thickness of the seven voussoirs projecting on the
aisle side of the arches to carry the great thickness of the clearstorey wall. I looked
in vain for any remnant of a cornice, and came to the conclusion that the walls were
finished off without any overhanging feature in stone.
The chapel at the southeast angle of the church is one of the most attractive
buildings of its kind in Syria, and presents the strongest kind of a contrast to the
older building. It shares its north wall with the church. It consists of an oblong nave
with an apse, almost as large as that of the old church, hidden on the exterior by
rectangular walls. The composition and ornament of the facade are extremely interesting.
The deep base-moulding is raised upon a single step. The mouldings of the portal are
rich and heavy, and are unevenly broken out on either side of the threshold in double
returns which break into the base-mould. The flat bands in the profile are carved
with crenellations, the ovolos with rope patterns and overlapping leaves, and the whole
is framed in cusping. A moulded string-course is carried around the building just
above the lintel of the portal. Upon this were set the tall round-headed windows which
have rich cusped mouldings returned between the openings and terminating at one end
in a spiral. The gable is pierced with a circular window set in incised mouldings.
Above this is a symbolical disc. Just within the dooway were found fragments of the
apex of the gable and of an encircled cross in pierced work which undoubtedly formed
the fineal of the gable. This is the first instance of the finding of this detail which
may have been common in Syrian churches.
102. SHEKH SLEMAN.
The site of this ancient and deserted town situated on the southern slopes of the
Djebel Simc^n, may be looked upon as an oasis in the desert hill country of Northern
335
the former two hundred years perhaps after its completion (Ill. 382). The basilica is
very long in proportion to its width. Its nave its divided into six ordinary bays by
two rows of five columns each (Ill. 383) carrying six arches. But the responds at the
east end of the arcades project forward a distance almost equal to another bay, and
terminate in engaged columns. The bema was situated between these two projecting
walls, and the chancel rail connected their ends. This is still in place, but it is im-
possible to examine it carefully because the fall of the clearstorey walls has buried it
in debris. The apse is quite small, but its half dome is in place, although threatened
by a fig tree which has filled it with twisted branches. On the north of the apse is a
small diaconicon; on the south, and connecting directly with the apse, is the prothesis
which has been doubled in size by an addition to the east. The arch of the prothesis
is probably later than the original building of the church. To the south of this enlarged
prothesis is the later chapel. The structure of the walls of the church is a massive
double faced ashlar with uneven courses and oblique joints often verging upon polygonal
masonry. The doorways, of which there are three in the south wall, are perfectly
plain, and in some cases have monolithic jambs. The windows of the clearstorey are
rectangular, and the wall between them is massive and irregular. The columns of the
nave arcade which is standing are rather stout and thick. All but one of them carry
Ionic capitals of the earliest fourth-century type; the other is Doric. The arches are
not stilted, but the impost block, cut to receive two voussoirs, is not so thick as the
rest of the arch above it, the extra thickness of the seven voussoirs projecting on the
aisle side of the arches to carry the great thickness of the clearstorey wall. I looked
in vain for any remnant of a cornice, and came to the conclusion that the walls were
finished off without any overhanging feature in stone.
The chapel at the southeast angle of the church is one of the most attractive
buildings of its kind in Syria, and presents the strongest kind of a contrast to the
older building. It shares its north wall with the church. It consists of an oblong nave
with an apse, almost as large as that of the old church, hidden on the exterior by
rectangular walls. The composition and ornament of the facade are extremely interesting.
The deep base-moulding is raised upon a single step. The mouldings of the portal are
rich and heavy, and are unevenly broken out on either side of the threshold in double
returns which break into the base-mould. The flat bands in the profile are carved
with crenellations, the ovolos with rope patterns and overlapping leaves, and the whole
is framed in cusping. A moulded string-course is carried around the building just
above the lintel of the portal. Upon this were set the tall round-headed windows which
have rich cusped mouldings returned between the openings and terminating at one end
in a spiral. The gable is pierced with a circular window set in incised mouldings.
Above this is a symbolical disc. Just within the dooway were found fragments of the
apex of the gable and of an encircled cross in pierced work which undoubtedly formed
the fineal of the gable. This is the first instance of the finding of this detail which
may have been common in Syrian churches.
102. SHEKH SLEMAN.
The site of this ancient and deserted town situated on the southern slopes of the
Djebel Simc^n, may be looked upon as an oasis in the desert hill country of Northern