the: great I'ORTAI, INTO TllK TKMl'LK OV I'.ACCIIUS (SKK TKXT, I'AGK lOl) 



The view of this exquisite portal was long obstructed by an Arab screen in the vestibule. 

 This was removed by the famous orientalist. Sir Richard Burton, when he was British consul 

 at Damascus, in 1870. He also propped up the cracked door-lintel, which has since been 

 more firmly secured by the German archeologists. 



95 



