54 —=Ci«‘: ARCHITECTURE. 
rinthian columns at the short sides and 15 on the eastern long side, whilst 
the western had only 12, and two strong pillars between which lay the en- 
trance, a remarkable difference from the Grecian temples, which always had 
the entrance on the shorter side. These pillars had half columns at the fore 
corners and at the sides. The substructure of the temple is formed by nine 
steps. The columns are of the Corinthian order, 51 feet high, by a diameter 
of 4 feet, 8 inches, and placed on cubes. From the Attic base up to the 
height of 5 feet, the shafts exhibit convex beads, and from this height up- 
wards to the capitals they are fluted. Each short wall had two Ionic half 
columns on the outside. The entablature is very rich, the frieze decorated 
with genii and garlands of flowers. The cella is 122 feet by 39, has a highly 
finished door on the long side, and eight windows; at both ends winding 
stairs lead to the roof. The ceiling above the two altars is richly decorated 
with sculptures, including a zodiac and deities in hexagonal panels, among 
which are Baal, Cronos or Moloch, Baaltis, Melcarthos, Adon, Mercury, and 
Astarte, corresponding to the Grecian deities Zeus, Artemis, Pluto, Helios, 
Poseidon, Hermes, and Here. 
* About 1440 feet from the northern corner of the peribolus are the ruins 
of a triumphal monument composed of three arches, the two smaller ones of 
which open into covered colonnades, 16 feet wide, and 4000 feet long, with 
a street between them of 37 feet inwidth. The columns are 3 feet, 3 inches 
thick, 28 feet high, and support a very rich entablature. The ceiling was 
composed of stone blocks, 20 feet in length. Judging from the remaining 
columns and their distances, the total number of columns must have been 
1450. Nearly in the middle of the street between the colonnades are four 
large pedestals which formerly supported groups of sculptures (pl. 17, 
fig. 22 a, plan; jig. 22 6, elevation of one pedestal). At this place a cireus 
of 10,000 feet in length abuts on the colonnades; this was also surrounded 
by columns, all of which, however, are lying in ruins. The colonnades end 
at a monument, by some considered to be a temple of Neptune, by others a 
mausoleum (pl. 16, jig. 27, plan). Its entrance was guarded by two winged 
genii, each soaring on a sphere. The six columns in front are of the Co- 
rinthian order and smooth, 2 feet, 11 inches thick, by 27 feet, 4 inches in 
height, placed on cubes of 2 feet, 11 inches, and supporting a gable, whilst 
they form a portico. The altar in the rear of the cella was surrounded by 
four columns supporting the richly decorated ceiling. 
Beyond the circus are the ruins of five small Corinthian temples and of 
two other buildings. Between the Temple of the Sun and the opening of 
the colonnades is a single Corinthian column, 54 feet high and 5; feet thick, 
and another, 60 feet high, stands to the right of the colonnade. Both 
once supported statues. Near by is still another monolithic granite column 
98 feet high, and at a short distance from it the ruins of the peristyle of a 
temple. West of the temple of Neptune are several important ruins, 
among which are those of a large palace, probably the palace of Odonatus, 
consort of Zenobia, or perhaps the assembly house of the city authorities. 
To the right of the colonnades is a small but beautiful temple (pl. 16, jig. 
22, plan). It has smooth Corinthian columns, 28 feet high, and 3 feet, 
54 
