DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4692#0064
THE BASILICA OP PERGAMUS. 55
Plate XLVIII.
PATARA.—DETAILS OF DOORWAY OF TOMB.
This is one of the most elegant doorways of the Graeco-Roman period existing in Asia Minor.
Fig. 1.—Elevation of angle of architrave, showing cornice and consoles.
Fig. 2.—Side elevation of console.
Fig. 3.—Section through cornice and architrave.
Fig. 4.—Console to a larger scale.
THE BASILICA OF PERGAMUS.1
AT the southern end of the tunnel built over the Selinus stands a vast building which attracts the attention
of every traveller who enters Pergamus. High brick walls, with courses of marble here and there, and
the shafts of columns lying about in the vicinity, indicate that this edifice was one of the most important
monuments of ancient Pergamus. According to a tradition that Spon found maintained by the Greeks, this
was the ancient church of St. John, called by them Aghios Theologos, and it was desecrated by the Turks.
All authors who have had occasion to describe Pergamus have accepted this tradition without^ hesitation,
without even referring to the plan of the building in order to ascertain if it were originally intended for
a church.
The edifice consists of a large parallelogram, 137 ft. 9 in. in length by 70 ft. 2 in. in breadth, internally.
A large doorway at the end gives access to the interior, and to the right and left of the doorway is a niche.
The nave is divided into two parts in its length. The first division has five niches on each side, like those
in the end wall.
Foundations can be traced to a distance of 48 feet from the hemicycle. The hemicycle is 34 ft. 6 in.
in diameter ; to the right and left of it are two staircases which led to the upper part of the building. ^ The side
niches are repeated in the first story by windows of exactly the same size and form, and marble toothing-stones
show that in front of these niches there was formerly a portico of eight columns, the entablature of which
formed the first story.
Small blocks of masonry which are seen before the entrance, and a vertical toothing that appears m the
side wall, show that the portico was carried round in front of the entrance.
In that part of the side wall which was nearest the hemicycle, there are still to be seen the toothing-
stones on the first story as well as on the ground floor: the restoration of this part therefore would be extremely
easy.
There were two ranges of colonnades one above the other; the colonnade nearest the door was lighted
through that above it.
In the middle of the hemicycle was a step, on which was placed a tribune. Outside the lateral wall are some
holes, which appear to have received the beams of an external portico, and several columns of marble are sti
lying in the neighbourhood. The windows of the first story are decorated with courses of marble, but all
sculptures and ornamental friezes have completely disappeared. The date of the building can only be con-
jectured from the materials and workmanship.
Without giving further details, it is evident that this building was not constructed for a church. Ihe™^
not in it any evidence of the arrangements which were in common amongst the first Christians. ^ is p
compared with the description of the basilica by Vitruvius, there is found a perfect correspondence in all parts.
The breadth of the basilica, says he, ought to be at least a third part of its length or the half more or Jess, we
have here something like the proportions he indicates. The bottom of the nave is occupied by a pier, wnicn
supported the chalcidicum; the two ranges of columns, and the staircase which leads to the tribunes, a c
with the requirements of Vitruvius. . . ,.fl
On the platform which extends around the hemicycle of the basilica, there are two circular edinces one on
each side. These buildings are both in a good state of preservation; they are built upon the same plan and
surmounted by stone domes. There does not appear to have been a floor in the interior of either of them.
The principal doors are arched, and blocks of marble, inlaid in the wall, seem to indicate the former existence
of a decoration which has totally disappeared.
1 Abridged from Texier's Asie Mineure.
Plate XLVIII.
PATARA.—DETAILS OF DOORWAY OF TOMB.
This is one of the most elegant doorways of the Graeco-Roman period existing in Asia Minor.
Fig. 1.—Elevation of angle of architrave, showing cornice and consoles.
Fig. 2.—Side elevation of console.
Fig. 3.—Section through cornice and architrave.
Fig. 4.—Console to a larger scale.
THE BASILICA OF PERGAMUS.1
AT the southern end of the tunnel built over the Selinus stands a vast building which attracts the attention
of every traveller who enters Pergamus. High brick walls, with courses of marble here and there, and
the shafts of columns lying about in the vicinity, indicate that this edifice was one of the most important
monuments of ancient Pergamus. According to a tradition that Spon found maintained by the Greeks, this
was the ancient church of St. John, called by them Aghios Theologos, and it was desecrated by the Turks.
All authors who have had occasion to describe Pergamus have accepted this tradition without^ hesitation,
without even referring to the plan of the building in order to ascertain if it were originally intended for
a church.
The edifice consists of a large parallelogram, 137 ft. 9 in. in length by 70 ft. 2 in. in breadth, internally.
A large doorway at the end gives access to the interior, and to the right and left of the doorway is a niche.
The nave is divided into two parts in its length. The first division has five niches on each side, like those
in the end wall.
Foundations can be traced to a distance of 48 feet from the hemicycle. The hemicycle is 34 ft. 6 in.
in diameter ; to the right and left of it are two staircases which led to the upper part of the building. ^ The side
niches are repeated in the first story by windows of exactly the same size and form, and marble toothing-stones
show that in front of these niches there was formerly a portico of eight columns, the entablature of which
formed the first story.
Small blocks of masonry which are seen before the entrance, and a vertical toothing that appears m the
side wall, show that the portico was carried round in front of the entrance.
In that part of the side wall which was nearest the hemicycle, there are still to be seen the toothing-
stones on the first story as well as on the ground floor: the restoration of this part therefore would be extremely
easy.
There were two ranges of colonnades one above the other; the colonnade nearest the door was lighted
through that above it.
In the middle of the hemicycle was a step, on which was placed a tribune. Outside the lateral wall are some
holes, which appear to have received the beams of an external portico, and several columns of marble are sti
lying in the neighbourhood. The windows of the first story are decorated with courses of marble, but all
sculptures and ornamental friezes have completely disappeared. The date of the building can only be con-
jectured from the materials and workmanship.
Without giving further details, it is evident that this building was not constructed for a church. Ihe™^
not in it any evidence of the arrangements which were in common amongst the first Christians. ^ is p
compared with the description of the basilica by Vitruvius, there is found a perfect correspondence in all parts.
The breadth of the basilica, says he, ought to be at least a third part of its length or the half more or Jess, we
have here something like the proportions he indicates. The bottom of the nave is occupied by a pier, wnicn
supported the chalcidicum; the two ranges of columns, and the staircase which leads to the tribunes, a c
with the requirements of Vitruvius. . . ,.fl
On the platform which extends around the hemicycle of the basilica, there are two circular edinces one on
each side. These buildings are both in a good state of preservation; they are built upon the same plan and
surmounted by stone domes. There does not appear to have been a floor in the interior of either of them.
The principal doors are arched, and blocks of marble, inlaid in the wall, seem to indicate the former existence
of a decoration which has totally disappeared.
1 Abridged from Texier's Asie Mineure.