DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2532#0134
112
ARCHITECTURE OF THE ARGIVE HERAETJM
UPPER STOA.
Below the terrace of the Old Temple are several buildings (II, III, and IV on Plate
IV.), shown in section on Plate XL, and in elevation on Plate IX.; the present state
of their plans is shown in detail on Plate XII.
The walls in parts present some confusion, owing to later buildings having been super-
imposed on earlier constractions. For example, the west end of Stoa II seems to have
been built on foundations of an earlier building. In the Northeast Stoa (III) are later
partition walls, and between this and the East Building are several older foundation walls
which run at various angles that bear no definite relation to the buildings named.
I have attempted a somewhat free restoration of these buildings (see Plate IX.), since
the fragments found were too few to insure accuracy throughout.
In Stoa II (Plate XII.) the stone bases for the columns are in situ ; they are light lime-
stone and nearly every one has a small pry-hole, which indicates the position of a column.
They are cut true on top and on the sides to a certain depth, below which the stone is
left rough, having been concealed by the flooring of mosaic or tile. The stylobate stones
are similarly cut on the inside and bear vestiges of pry-holes. On the outside exposed
surfaces the stylobate stones and steps are well cut and neatly jointed. Where some of
the stylobate stones have been removed, a foundation is revealed of irregular stones, as
shown on the plan.
Two column-drums, of 0.60 m. diam. and with sixteen flutings, remain on bases in the
Stoa, and I conclude that the very old capitals of Fig. 51 were from this building, together
with two old cornice (gelson) blocks, one of which bears traces of colored plaster. Owing
to the smallness of the columns and their Avide intercolumniation, it is very probable
that the entablature of the Stoa was of wood, and the stone cornice blocks may have
belonged to an inclosed portion of the building at the west end. The height of the
portico columns could not have exceeded three metres (cf. Fig. 52, E). The rear wall
was built of poros stone, and a drain behind the wall indicates that the roof pitched to
the rear as Avell as to the front, with a ridge in the centre. This drain carried the rain-
water into a small reservoir running back into the ground, as shown on the plan (Plate
XII.), and in the elevation of the present state (Plate IX.). Adjacent to this reservoir
are remains of three cisterns or baths, B, C, D, with plastered floors.
Between this Stoa II and the Northeast Stoa is a level platform cut-out of the con-
glomerate rock with a rear wall of fairly good workmanship (cf. Fig. 49). Several bases,
probably for statues, still remain on this platform, one being partially concealed by a later
wall. One of these bases at the west end of the platform is shown in detail on Plate
XXIX., B and H. It consists of light limestone in three sections rebated one over the
other, with joints cut to a nicety and filled with lead. Besides these bases there are many
cuts in the stylobate and elsewhere for stelae. This platform may at one time have been
roofed. The two walls which project forward from the rear are later than the rear wall
and are not bonded into it in any way. In my restoration I have assumed that the plat-
form was open and that steps ascended from it to the upper terrace, feeling justified in
this conclusion by the presence of the statue-bases and the absence of any evidence of
columns.
An interesting stone is one of a confused group shown on the plan about the centre
of the front steps of the platform. On it are carved two birds, probably doves (Fig. 53).
Another stone of great antiquity (Fig. 54) was found in the adjoining Building III, with
ARCHITECTURE OF THE ARGIVE HERAETJM
UPPER STOA.
Below the terrace of the Old Temple are several buildings (II, III, and IV on Plate
IV.), shown in section on Plate XL, and in elevation on Plate IX.; the present state
of their plans is shown in detail on Plate XII.
The walls in parts present some confusion, owing to later buildings having been super-
imposed on earlier constractions. For example, the west end of Stoa II seems to have
been built on foundations of an earlier building. In the Northeast Stoa (III) are later
partition walls, and between this and the East Building are several older foundation walls
which run at various angles that bear no definite relation to the buildings named.
I have attempted a somewhat free restoration of these buildings (see Plate IX.), since
the fragments found were too few to insure accuracy throughout.
In Stoa II (Plate XII.) the stone bases for the columns are in situ ; they are light lime-
stone and nearly every one has a small pry-hole, which indicates the position of a column.
They are cut true on top and on the sides to a certain depth, below which the stone is
left rough, having been concealed by the flooring of mosaic or tile. The stylobate stones
are similarly cut on the inside and bear vestiges of pry-holes. On the outside exposed
surfaces the stylobate stones and steps are well cut and neatly jointed. Where some of
the stylobate stones have been removed, a foundation is revealed of irregular stones, as
shown on the plan.
Two column-drums, of 0.60 m. diam. and with sixteen flutings, remain on bases in the
Stoa, and I conclude that the very old capitals of Fig. 51 were from this building, together
with two old cornice (gelson) blocks, one of which bears traces of colored plaster. Owing
to the smallness of the columns and their Avide intercolumniation, it is very probable
that the entablature of the Stoa was of wood, and the stone cornice blocks may have
belonged to an inclosed portion of the building at the west end. The height of the
portico columns could not have exceeded three metres (cf. Fig. 52, E). The rear wall
was built of poros stone, and a drain behind the wall indicates that the roof pitched to
the rear as Avell as to the front, with a ridge in the centre. This drain carried the rain-
water into a small reservoir running back into the ground, as shown on the plan (Plate
XII.), and in the elevation of the present state (Plate IX.). Adjacent to this reservoir
are remains of three cisterns or baths, B, C, D, with plastered floors.
Between this Stoa II and the Northeast Stoa is a level platform cut-out of the con-
glomerate rock with a rear wall of fairly good workmanship (cf. Fig. 49). Several bases,
probably for statues, still remain on this platform, one being partially concealed by a later
wall. One of these bases at the west end of the platform is shown in detail on Plate
XXIX., B and H. It consists of light limestone in three sections rebated one over the
other, with joints cut to a nicety and filled with lead. Besides these bases there are many
cuts in the stylobate and elsewhere for stelae. This platform may at one time have been
roofed. The two walls which project forward from the rear are later than the rear wall
and are not bonded into it in any way. In my restoration I have assumed that the plat-
form was open and that steps ascended from it to the upper terrace, feeling justified in
this conclusion by the presence of the statue-bases and the absence of any evidence of
columns.
An interesting stone is one of a confused group shown on the plan about the centre
of the front steps of the platform. On it are carved two birds, probably doves (Fig. 53).
Another stone of great antiquity (Fig. 54) was found in the adjoining Building III, with