File:Architecture, classic and early Christian (1888) (14741220026).jpg

Identifier: architectureclas00smit (find matches)
Title: Architecture, classic and early Christian
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Smith, T. Roger (Thomas Roger), 1830-1903 Slater, John, 1847-1924
Subjects: Architecture Church architecture
Publisher: London : S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, Ltd., St. Dunstan's House, Fetter, Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
n worship; and during the fourthcentury, and several succeeding ones, the churches ofthe West were all of the basilica type. What occurred,at Constantinople, the seat of the Eastern Empire andthe centre of the Eastern Church, Avill be considered1 resenty. There is probably no basilica actually standing whichwas built during the reign of Constantine, or near histime; but there are several basilica churches in Itome,such as that of San Clemente, which were founded nearhis time, and \vhich, though they have been partially orwholly rebuilt, exhibit what is believed to be the ancientdisposition without modification. Access is obtained to San Clemente through a fore-court to which the name of the atrium is given. Thisis very much like the atrium of a Eonian house, beingcovered with a shed roof round all four sides and open inthe centre, and so resembling a cloister. The side nextthe church was called the narthex or porch; and when anatrium did not exist, a nr.rthex at least was usually pro-
Text Appearing After Image:
Fio 15G.—Interior op a Basilica at Pompeii.Kestored, from descriptions by various axUhors. BASILICAS. 201 vi.lccl. Tli3 basilica has always a central avenue, or nave,and sides or aisles, and was generally entered from thenarthex hy three doors, one to each division. The nave ofSan Clemente is lofty, and covered by a simple woodenroof; it is separated from the side aisles by arcades, thearches of which spring from the capitals of columns; andhigh up in its side walls we find windows. The sideaisles, like the nave, have wooden roofs. The nave termi-nates in a semicircular recess called the apse, the floorof which is higher than thit of the general structure, andis approached by steps. A large arch divides this apsefrom the nave. A portion of the nave floor is occupied byan enclosed space for the choir, surronnded by marblescreens, and having a pulpit on either side of it. Thesepulpits are termed ambos. Below the Church of SanClemente is a vaulted structure or crypt extending underthe

Note About Images