ARCHITECTURE. 129 
surmounted by the main cornice. The columns have Corinthian capitals ; 
the two shafts nearest the pillars are smooth, the two next ornamental in 
various ways, and the centre pair have twisted or braided shafts. 
A remarkable basilica was St.. Peter’s, built in 326 by order of Constantine 
on the spot now occupied by the new St. Peter’s, and destroyed in the 
sixteenth century (pl. 27, fig. 5, ground plan; pl. 30, fig. 1, section through 
the court with the front elevation ; fig. 2, lateral section). The ground plan 
is in the shape of a Latin cross, and the building lay in the rear of a large 
court surrounded by columns and pillars forming covered colonnades. The 
church had five naves, each with its own entrance from the colonnade. The 
rows of columns inclosing the main nave were 33 feet in height, by 3 feet, 
4 inches in diameter; those of the side aisles were 27 feet, 4 inches high, 
and 2 feet, 10 inches thick. The rear wall was interrupted by the semi- 
circular sanctuary with the main altar. One end of the transept served as 
library, the other as depository for the sacred vessels. The length of the 
church, excluding the sanctuary, was 287 feet; with it, 321 feet. The 
centre aisle was 75 feet wide, the side aisles 30 feet, and the outer aisles 26 
feet; the transept was 265 feet in length. The interior contained ninety- 
two columns, probably all from the mausoleum of Hadrian. The two rows 
of columns in the centre had straight architraves on which stood walls with 
windows 8 feet, 8 inches high, by 7 feet, 6 inches wide, and arched above 
in a full semicircle. The heights of the various naves were 884 feet for the 
- centre, 53 feet for the sides, and 43 feet for the outer aisles. The roof of 
the centre aisles was covered with gilded Corinthian bronze, those of the 
side aisles with tiles. The ceiling over the choir was arched and decorated 
with mosaic and painting. The other ceilings were of inlaid woodwork 
or wainscoting, and were first repaired in 602. The principal entrance had 
bronze doors from the temple of Salomo. The gable front of the church 
was decorated with mosaic in 827. Pope Anacletes II. despoiled the - 
basilica of its treasures in 1130, and it was finally taken down in 1503, 
under the superintendence of Bramante. 
The basilica San Lorenzo, before the gates of Rome, on the Tiburtine way 
(pl. 27, jig. 8, plan; jig. 9, elevation; jig. 10, longitudinal section of the 
choir; jig. 11, lateral section; jigs. 12, 138, windows), was erected under 
Constantine, whilst the choir was added by Pope Hadrian, 772-791. This 
choir was enlarged in 1475, by Rosalini, by order of Pope Sixtus IV. The 
entire building comprises the fore court, the principal and side aisles, the 
choir with two side aisles, and the sanctuary with the altar. The main nave 
has two rows of eleven granite columns of the Ionic order, surrounded by a 
straight architrave and cornice which supports a second tier of columns, 
connected by arches which are surmounted by the wall with the windows. 
The lower columns are smooth, and were very probably taken from the 
ancient portico of Octavia. They are among the finest in Rome; their 
reduction is in a straight line from base to capital, both of which are very 
carefully wrought. The sides of the high choir have each five antique 
Corinthian columns fluted and of exquisite workmanship. Their capitals 
are connected by fragments of ancient architraves, friezes, and cornices, 
ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOP£PIA.—VOL, IV. 9 129 
