Triumphal arches: the Arch of Janus

IN Rome there are many ancient Tryumphant Arches, among the which, this Building, by the greatest number, is accounted for a Tryumphant Arch: yet by the knowledge that men haue of it, it is thought to be a Porticus, or a Gallery, like vnto a Burse or Erchange for Marchants: it may be it was made by some one nation alone; as yet to this day in great Townes and Cities, euery nation hath a seuerall place, although they are not by that meanes deuided. This Porticus or Gallery stood in Nel foro Boario, and in ancient time was called, The Temple of Ianus: which is measured with the ancient Palme. This Building hath foure gates, as the ground hereunder doeth shew: betwéene the one and the other Pilaster, there are 22. Palmes: round about this Porticus, there are 48. niches or hollow places: but there are no more then 16. to set Images therein; all the rest are but for shewes, as being not déepe inough cut into the wall: which places were beautified with small Pillars somewhat bearing out from the wall, as you sée them, and were Corinthia worke, but now it is spoyled of all such ornaments.

THe height of the Arch is 44. Palmes: the height of the Bases beneath, marked E. is 1. Palme and an halfe. The Facie D. within the corners, is turned into a Cornice, and is the like height. The iudgement of the workman pleased me well in yᵉ piece, which is, that he made no Cornice in the inuermost part, that might trouble the people that should be therein: the height of the other Cornices are not measured, but the formes of them diligently counterforted, follow hereafter.

THe fiue places of Cornices hereunder set downe, are the ornaments of the Porticus aforesayd. The Base E. and the Facie D. were measured, and in this forme, the great measure set downe; but the other were counterfeited by sight, with these heights where they stand: and there is little difference betwéene the one and the other, for parts, and also in height. The Figure C. is the Facie vnder the first Niche or hollow place.