THE IMPERIAL ATRIUM OF THE FIRST PERIOD. 17 
on the west, which have been destroyed in the course of later restorations. 
The two parts formed thus a single complex structure, which is plainly of 
one period and the work of one builder. This is shown most clearly by the 
general harmony in architectural plan and by the structural unity which 
exists throughout the parts of the building which are preserved. The level of 
the concrete foundations also varies but a little in the several parts, although 
that of the pavement above them can not be determined. The methods of 
construction are, in general, the same and the character of the material used 
is identical. 
The interior of the Atrium can be reconstructed only in its more general 
features. The size and arrangement of the rooms on the west it is impossible 
to determine, since they have been rendered inaccessible by the later build- 
ings which have been placed on top of them. The existence and general 
position of the rooms on the north’ is certain, but no exact restoration of them 
is at present possible. While, however, the reconstruction of the Atrium as a 
whole is, as has been said, impossible, the general plan of the building is 
clear.” In the center was a large court,’ or atrium, extending from north- 
east to southwest, 45.50+ meters long and about 21 meters wide. On both 
sides and possibly at the west end of this court was a series of lofty rooms.‘ 
There was left on the east a broad entrance into the garden beyond,* which 
sloped gradually upward to the rear of the Atrium. The main entrance® 
into the building was through a vestibule directly from the street on the 
north and not, as at a later time, from the temple area.’ The door on the 
north, which was closed by a cross-wall of the house of the next period, was 
1.75 meters wide and between 2 and 3 meters high. There was doubtless, as 
later, a door leading directly from the Atrium into the temple area for the use 
of the priestesses in their attendance on the temple. The rooms on the north 
were at least nine in number. They were 11 meters or more long and vary in 
width from 4.15 to 4.85 meters. Between the three rooms towards the west, 
there are doors 1.77 meters wide.® ‘There may have been originally similar 
doors between the other rooms also, though no trace of them now remains, 
since the walls have been destroyed almost to the foundations. For the same 
reason it is not possible to decide whether the rooms opened into the court 
through doors or wide arches. On the south side of the court opposite the 
entrance was a large open room,” which on account of its position and pro- 
portions may be regarded as the tablinum. Next to it on either side was a 
smaller room, which was open also to the atrium. Of these rooms that on 
1 Plan A, 1-9. 4Plan A, 1-9, 10-15. 
2 See plan A. © Plan A,/c, 
3 From data recently obtained it seems possible that Plan A, n. 
earlier walls existed in the same position as_ 7 See plan B and p. 23. 
those on which the ends of the colonnade 8 Plan A, 1-3. 
of the next period (see plan B) rested. Approximately 6 Roman feet, a common meas- 
The earlier court would, in that case, have urement throughout the whole building. 
extended on the east and west only to these Plan A, 13. This room was 16.07 meters wide 
walls. and 10.28 meters long. 
