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Rh Bk. IX. Ch. III. STA. SOPHIA. 443 better, being 66 ft. in height by 52 in diameter, while the other, with the same diameter, is nearly 20 ft. higher, and consequently too tall to be pleasing. The great difference, however, is, that while St. Vitale is enclosed in an octagon, St. Sergius is in a square ; which gives the latter an immense advantage over its rival, not only in effect but also in accommodation. The details of this church are generally well designed for the purposes to which they are applied. There is a certain reminiscence of classical feeling in the mouldings and foliage — in the latter, how- ever, very faint. The architrave block (No. 886) had by this time almost superseded the capital, and what was once a classical entabla- ture retained very little of its pristine form (No. 887), and indeed was used constructively only, for the support of a gallery, or some such mechanical requirement. The arch had entirely superseded it as an ornamental feature long before the age of Justinian. Sta. Sophia, Although the building just described, and others that might be quoted, probably contain the germs of all that is found in Sta. Sophia, they are on so small a scale that it is startling to find Justinian attempting an edifice so grand, and so daring in construction, without more experience than he appears to have obtained. Indeed, so excep- tional does this great structure appear, with our present knowledge, that we might almost feel inclined at first sight to look upon it as the immediate creation of the individual genius of its architect, Anthemius of Thralles ; but there can be little doubt that if a greater number of contemporary examples existed we should be able to trace back every feature of the design to its origin. The scale, however, on which it was carried out was certainly original, and required great boldness on the part of the architect to venture ui)on such a piece of mas:nificence. At all events, the celebrated boast of its founder on contemplating his finished work was more than justified. When Justinian exclaimed, " I have surpassed thee, O Solomon," he took an exaggerated view of the work of his predecessor, and did not realize the extent to which his building excelled the Jewish temple. The latter was only equal to a small church with a wooden roof supi)orted by wooden posts, and covering some 7200 sq. ft. Sta. Sophia covers ten times that area, is built of durable materials throughout, and far more artistically ornamented than the temple of the Jews ever could have been. But Justinian did more than accomplish this easy victory. Neither the Pantheon nor any of the vaulted halls at Rome equal the nave of Sta. Sophia in extent, or in clevei-ness of construction, or in beauty of design. Nor was there anything erected during the ten