136 | ARCHITECTURE. 
resting on two columns and the corresponding corner pillars. The distri- 
bution of the windows in the principal front is peculiar and clearly illus- 
trated in jig. 5. It will also be seen from this figure that the front has no 
main cornice, but only a curved line over the arches of the windows, whilst 
it is finished above by the three cupolas over the portico, overtopped in the 
centre by the dome of the central nave. The construction of the cupolas 
over the portico is seen from the section (fig. 6). The other cupolas are 
constructed on the same plan. 
The Catholicon, the Cathedral of Athens (pl. 29, jig. 9, plan; jig. 10, 
front view ; jig. 11, rear view ; jigs. 12-17, details), is one me the few pale: 
ings which. have esoaped destruction in the war of independence. It was 
probably built in the tenth century, for the gables indicate a peculiar appli- 
cation of framework which was foreign to the earlier Byzantine style, and 
betray Italian influence. Its form is a rectangle, whose length exceeds its 
breadth by one half. The first third is occupied by the vestibule. The church 
proper has three naves having semicircular apsides with narrow windows. 
The sanctuary alone projects on the rear of the building in form of a semi- 
hexagon. There are three entrances to the church, on the south, west, and 
north sides. The entire building is of white marble. The door in the main 
front, which is approached by two steps, has a straight lintel, but over it a 
richly moulded arch inclosing a sculptured panel. Several quadrangular 
panels on both sides of this arch exhibit bas-reliefs, in which lions occur, 
probably alluding to Venice. The whole is surmounted by a rich frieze 
and cornice which separate the lower part of the edifice from the gabled 
roof of the portico, whose front or gable field is richly decorated with 
sculptures. The rear has two oblique cornices imitating the front gable 
and surmounting the sloping roof of the sanctuary. The dome over the 
main nave has eight windows, with eight paintings between them repre- 
senting eight apostles. Over these are eight angels in medallions, and the 
centre is occupied by a colossal picture of Christ. The walls of the 
interior were decorated with paintings, of which in many places traces are 
still perceptible. 
A remarkable church in point of construction is St. Vital’s in Ravenna 
( pl. 29, fig. 1, plan; jig. 2, interior view; jig. 3, longitudinal section ; jigs. 
4-8, ani It was ed in the year 547, ee a plan sent from the 
east, but whose designer is unknown. It is ascribed to Justinian, on 
account of the repeated occurrence of the name Julian, who was the 
treasurer of this emperor. The ground plan of the church proper is a 
regular octagon, with attached rectangular portico, J, bounded on either 
end by a circular turret, K K, containing the stairs leading to the upper 
galleries. This portico has been supplanted by a modern one (jig. 1 H), 
lying obliquely to the axis of the church. In the rear the original arrange- 
ment is preserved, the rectangular attachment containing the sanctuary, F, 
with a semicircular apsis, the vestries on both sides, and also round 
turrets at the ends, containing entrances from without. The centre of the 
church is surrounded by eight massive pillars supporting the cupola. 
Between them, except at E, where the view of the sanctuary is left free, are 
136 
