DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4692#0065
56 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.
At the commencement of the arches outside, there was a line of modillions, and the projection which
appears above, is a torus of marble ornamented with interlacing ornaments. The rotunda on the left, nearest
the river, communicates with a subterranean chamber by the means of a spiral staircase. This chamber is
supported by square pillars, apparently either a prison or a cistern.
Conjectures might be made without number as to the use of these rotundas, but their plan is so very
different from that of any known buildings, that it is impossible to advance a theory that is at all probable.
The Greeks of Pergamus call these edifices Ol BliMOl—the altars. They were perhaps temples dedicated
to the divinities who protect commerce, or temples of iEsculapius and Hygeia. The worship of .Esculapius
was very popular at Pergamus; but it must be acknowledged that there is no evidence in support of
these surmises. What is evident is, 1st, that the basilica or the church called Aghios Theologos was a
distinct building, and that the rotundas are incontestably additions: 2nd, that all the different parts, and
the arrangements required by Vitruvius for the Roman basilica, are perfectly observed in the plan of this
edifice: 3rd, that it is possible that both the Christians and Mussulmans have at different epochs used it for
their worship ; but its construction, whether or not anterior to the Christian times, is decidedly Roman.
Plate XLIX.
VIEW OP THE RUINS OP THE BASILICA.
This view is taken from the north-east end, and shows the apse and the two circular buildings at the
sides.
Plate L.
PLAN OP THE BASILICA.
Although, as M. Texier mentions, according to local tradition, this edifice is known as the church of St. John,
the architectural evidence shows that it was not built for a church. There is neither exo- nor eso-nartliex; atrium
nor gynceconitis. There is an apse certainly, but it is not sufficiently deep to have formed the bema of a Byzantine
church. Besides, in the places where we usually find the gazophylakion and skeuophylahion, there are two stair-
cases which have led to the upper part of the edifice. It must therefore have been a basilica, and it is one of the
few examples of the ancient basilica existing. It was formerly divided longitudinally into three parts by two
rows of columns : above these there were other columns, forming tribunes. There are no architectural ornaments
remaining, except an enriched moulding which runs round the exterior; the character of this and the nature of
the construction prove that the building was erected in the time of imperial Rome. The two detached circular
buildings may have been either temples or storehouses.
Plate LI.
ELEVATION AND SECTION OP THE BASILICA.
On the upper part of the plate are the elevations of the basilica and of the two round buildings in their
relative positions; in the lower part, a longitudinal section of the building.
At the commencement of the arches outside, there was a line of modillions, and the projection which
appears above, is a torus of marble ornamented with interlacing ornaments. The rotunda on the left, nearest
the river, communicates with a subterranean chamber by the means of a spiral staircase. This chamber is
supported by square pillars, apparently either a prison or a cistern.
Conjectures might be made without number as to the use of these rotundas, but their plan is so very
different from that of any known buildings, that it is impossible to advance a theory that is at all probable.
The Greeks of Pergamus call these edifices Ol BliMOl—the altars. They were perhaps temples dedicated
to the divinities who protect commerce, or temples of iEsculapius and Hygeia. The worship of .Esculapius
was very popular at Pergamus; but it must be acknowledged that there is no evidence in support of
these surmises. What is evident is, 1st, that the basilica or the church called Aghios Theologos was a
distinct building, and that the rotundas are incontestably additions: 2nd, that all the different parts, and
the arrangements required by Vitruvius for the Roman basilica, are perfectly observed in the plan of this
edifice: 3rd, that it is possible that both the Christians and Mussulmans have at different epochs used it for
their worship ; but its construction, whether or not anterior to the Christian times, is decidedly Roman.
Plate XLIX.
VIEW OP THE RUINS OP THE BASILICA.
This view is taken from the north-east end, and shows the apse and the two circular buildings at the
sides.
Plate L.
PLAN OP THE BASILICA.
Although, as M. Texier mentions, according to local tradition, this edifice is known as the church of St. John,
the architectural evidence shows that it was not built for a church. There is neither exo- nor eso-nartliex; atrium
nor gynceconitis. There is an apse certainly, but it is not sufficiently deep to have formed the bema of a Byzantine
church. Besides, in the places where we usually find the gazophylakion and skeuophylahion, there are two stair-
cases which have led to the upper part of the edifice. It must therefore have been a basilica, and it is one of the
few examples of the ancient basilica existing. It was formerly divided longitudinally into three parts by two
rows of columns : above these there were other columns, forming tribunes. There are no architectural ornaments
remaining, except an enriched moulding which runs round the exterior; the character of this and the nature of
the construction prove that the building was erected in the time of imperial Rome. The two detached circular
buildings may have been either temples or storehouses.
Plate LI.
ELEVATION AND SECTION OP THE BASILICA.
On the upper part of the plate are the elevations of the basilica and of the two round buildings in their
relative positions; in the lower part, a longitudinal section of the building.