Plate 37. The Interior of the Temple of Apollo at Bassæ

The exterior order of this Temple is already given on Plate 11.

In the cella on the face of five wall projections or piers at the sides, were placed the same number of half Ionic columns. The last pier at each side was on the diagonal, and centerway between and opposite the entrance stood a Corinthian column (Plate 59) which separated the space behind from the cella.

On Plate 37 a part plan is shown at Fig. 10, the dotted line A. B. being the long axis of the cella. These eleven columns carried in connection with the wall over the entrance an entablature enclosing the light area of the cella, which as at other Temples had no roof and was therefore Hypæthral. The scant height of the interior allowed of but one column, whereas at other Temples of greater dimension superimposed columns occurred. Instead of the heavier Doric, the architect (Ictinus) selected here the Ionic style, which, at that time on the small Temple on Ilissus (Olympiad 82) and on the interior of the Propylæ at Athens Olympiad 85), was in its ascendency and shortly thereafter at the Erectheum (Olympiad 92) reached its culmination.

Fig. 1 shows the entablature and column capital. The columns stand on a slight step which surrounds the floor on three sides of the open part of the cella. The very peculiar neither Attic nor Ionic base, through its strong projection, gives the columns a substantial foundation, and forms with its plain profile a pleasing connection with the floor. Fig. 8 is a section of the foot of the column at a larger scale. The column is of exceptionally strong taper with a gentle entasis, and with shallow flutes and narrow fillets between. Fig. 7 shows a half plan of same with the pier in connection therewith. The capital, considering the steep angle of vision at which it was seen from below, and the strong lighting, -is formed with great ingenuity. It has no roll or bolster on the sides, but a repetition of the front, which is only carried out in half.* Fig. 3 shows a top view of same. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the volute and Fig. 4 a vertical section. The eyes were inserted. The crowning connection between the two volutes as viewed from below was, through its forward curvature at the corners, again brought to a straight line and then came in proper alignment with the lower edge of the architrave. This capital seems to have been originated from the corner capitals with corner volutes of the heretofore mentioned two earlier examples. It lends itself admirably to peristyles which surround a court where the capitals with bolsters on the ends are not suitable. In the corners of the volutes adjacent to the echinus were left blocks on which presumably metal decoration may have been fastened. We have, therefore, shown a suggestion on our plate as well as a central honeysuckle ornament as suggested by the Corinthian capital on Plate 59. By this decoration it is possible to give the two half sides of the capital a suitable termination. The echinus is without the usual egg ornamentation. The members thereunder are given at Fig. 6. The abacus is not in existence in its original form; its sides were presumably concave. The cutting out of the corners leads us to presume that a decoration probably of metal was applied, though no motive is in existence for its restoration.

The height of the column is not to be ascertained, as not a single capital was found in its place, though from the height of the stone blocks in the cella wall we presume that it was about 19 feet, which with the lower diameter of 2 ft. 1.9 inches would make 17[…] modules.

The entablature (Fig. 1) is similar to that of the small Temple on Ilissus, though it is much lighter in relation to the column. The architrave is lower and the frieze higher than was found in any example of ancient times. This variation occurred on account of the sculpture wherewith the entire frieze of the cella was decorated in relief. It represents, in Pentelic like marble, by an unknown master, the battle of the Greeks with the Centaures and Amazons, and the execution is wonderful. These works of art are now in the British museum. In the short piece of frieze, Fig. 1, is drawn one of the 23 marble tablets, to give an approximate idea of the richness of this work of art, which, with a height of 2 ft. […] inches, has a total length of 101 ft. 2 inches. According to Baron von Stackelberg, the warrior with the ax is Theseus who has just felled the Amazon queen Antiope.

The cornice has very little projection in order not to obstruct the light from above, and consists only of a corona and a cymatium. Fig. 2 gives a section of the entablature. The architrave is, on the back side, much lower than on the front. The niche-like spaces between the columns answered presumably for the placing of statues.

*Other authorities indicate the side of this capital as complete.— Ed.