44 THE ATRIUM VEST. 
determined by the limits of the earlier building. The octagonal structure, 
the remains of which may still be seen in the center of the court, was prob- 
ably built to conceal this irregularity. The columns of the lower story of 
the new colonnade were of czpollino, 50 centimeters in diameter and not over 
3 meters in height. Those of the upper story were of breccia corallina, 40 
centimeters in diameter and 2.93 meters high.? In connection with the ex- 
tension of the colonnade, the large basin,*® which was no longer in the middle 
of the court, was destroyed and its place taken by two smaller ones‘ at the 
ends of the building. At this time or a little later® was built, over the older 
basin, the octagonal structure mentioned above. The exact character of this 
structure is uncertain but it was probably an open summer-house, or pavilion, 
designed to conceal the irregularity in the colonnade and to afford more 
privacy to the rooms set apart for the daily life of the household. 
No change took place in the size or arrangement of the rooms of the 
Atrium proper. At a somewhat earlier period the large room® on the north 
next to the temple precinct had been divided into three smaller rooms open- 
ing directly upon the area in front of the temple. At this time a similar 
change was made in the room’ on the south of the area. In the room® adjoin- 
ing that in which stood the basin for the washing of the sacred utensils was 
built a platform 2.15 to 2.84 meters wide and 1.08 meters high, the purpose 
of which is not clear. It may have been connected, however, with a tem- 
porary stairway thrown across to rooms which no longer exist. Beside it 
a narrow stairway was built opening directly upon the ramp leading to the 
Palatine. By this stairway an easier means of communication was provided 
with the fountain of Juturna, from which water was probably brought for 
the uses of the cult. Underneath the platform are the so-called ovens, which 
resemble in form the modern Dutch ovens. They were intended for the 
storing away of articles used in the sacred rites or for the ashes of the focus, 
which probably stood near.® That they were not ovens is clear from their 
form and construction” as well as from the absence of any opening for the 
escape of the smoke or the creation of a draught. There are, moreover, no 
traces of the presence of fire inside of them. 
The Nova Via was at this time spanned by arches 4+ meters high sup- 
ported by pillars 1.47 meters square, which formed an arcade extending 
5 Bricks bearing stamps of a later period have been 
1Plan E, 0. The top of this basin has been 
found in the structure. They belong, how- 
restored. 
2 Several columns of breccia corallina are still pre- 
served. Only fragments remain of the ci- 
pollino columns, which resisted ‘less well the 
action of fire. Fragments remain also of 
the entablature of white marble, as well as 
a number of Corinthian capitals of various 
sizes. 
3 Plan D, 0. 
‘Plan E,r and s. These smaller basins, although 
they are of the same period, are not of the 
same size. 
ever, to a restoration, since the construction 
in general is of the time of Severus. 
6Plan D,1. Cf. plan E, 1a-1c. 
7Plan D, 56. Cf. plan E, 56a-56c. 
8 Plan E, 54. 
® This was first suggested to me by Professor Mau. 
10See plate 1x, fig.2. For the form and construction 
of ancient ovens, see Mau-Kelsey, Pompeit, 
391. Such places for the stowing away of 
various objects are often seen in Pompeian 
houses. 
