110 Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church. 



congregation at certain periods. The heathen temple was simply 

 the shrine of the image of the deity; the mass of worshippers 

 assembled in front of the temples where sacrifices were offered upon 

 the altars in the open air. 



But there was in use at Eome at that time another species of 

 building whose design seemed better calculated for the exigencies 

 of Christian worship, besides avoiding the form of the pagan 

 temple. This was the Hall of Justice — the Basilica. If the 

 buildings themselves were not actually used for Christian worship, 

 their forms and general arrangement were so well adapted to the 

 purpose that they were imitated with little change. 



These buildings were oblong, and divided by a double range of 

 columns into a central avenue and two lateral aisles. At the ex- 

 tremity was a transverse aisle or transept, containing the semi- 

 circular recess, called the tribune or apsis, with a ceiling rounded 

 off like the head of a niche. 



This part was raised a few steps above the rest of the interior ; 

 in front stood an altar, and behind it sat the judge with his coun- 

 cillors. 



If we divest Wilton Church of the campanile or bell- tower, we 

 have, so to speak, an ancient basilica adapted to the purpose of 

 Christian worship. The form of the central avenue allowed it to 

 be easily converted into the nave or ship of St. Peter, the great 

 characteristic of a Christian church ; one of the lateral aisles, as in 

 the courts of justice, was set apart for the males, the other for the 

 females. 



The raised apsis or tribune, which was peculiarly the seat of 

 justice, became the presbytery or receptacle of the superior clergy. 

 In its centre stood the throne of the Bishop, who might thence, 

 like a true Episcopus, look down upon the congregation. Between 

 the tribune and the body of the nave was the choir, surrounded by 

 its cancelli or inclosures ; on either side of the choir arose the am- 

 bones, the pulpits, from whence the Epistle and Gospel were respec- 

 tively read. The elaborate pulpit in Wilton Church may fairly 

 represent one of these. In later times, when altars, no longer 

 insulated, did not permit the bishops and clergy to be seen behind 



