Waterhouse, Percy Leslie: The story of architecture throughout the ages: an introduction to the study of the oldest of the arts for students and general readers (London: B. T. Batsford, 1924)

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE 99
altar occupies a position in front, under the
centre of the great dome. In western cathedrals
generally, however, the positions have been
changed : the altar occupies a central position
against the wall of the apse, and the bishop is
accommodated elsewhere at the side of the
choir.
Great reverence was paid by the early Christ-
ians to the remains of the saint to whom the


Fig. 35.—Development of Basilica.

church was dedicated, whose baptistery and
font—usually a circular or polygonal building
—adjoined the basilica. At a later period the
shrine was placed under the altar, in the apse.
In due course the belief in the efficacy of various
saints led to the erection of secondary altars ;
and, the apse being recognised as the natural
position for an altar, it became customary to
build apsidal recesses for its accommodation.
At first the secondary apses were added on
either side of the central recess, but as the

h 2