Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/474

458 458 BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE. Tart XL certainly not a century of difference in the age ot the two last described. ISText to these conies the church of Elias, a.d. 1012, and very siniilar to it in style is that of the Apostles (Woodcut No. 902), which we may consequently date with safety in the 11th century, from this juxtaposition alone, though there are several other examples which enable us to treat it as a characteristic type of the age. It is a pleas- ing and picturesque specimen of Byzantine brickwork. Like all the churches of the time, it is small, 63 ft. by 59 externally. In ])]an it very much resembles the Theotokos at Constantinople, but in eleva- tion is taller and thinner; though whether this arises from any local peculiarity, or from some difference of age, is not clear. I suspect the former. The earthquakes -of the capital may have induced a less ambitious form, as far as height is concerned, than was adopted in the provinces. Greece. There can be little doubt but that, if a systematic search Avere made among the churches of Greece, many would be brought to light which would be most useful in conii)letino: our knowledae of the Neo-Byzantine style. At Mount Athos alone, and its immediate neighborhood, there are probably a hundred convents, many of old date, whose churches, even though rebuilt in modern times, must contain fragments of the older style ; but they have not yet been examined by any competent architect. For Greece proper Ave are dependent almost wholly on Cauchaud ^ and Blouet.^ They unfor- tunately suffice to j^rove that there are no churches of any dimensions sufficient to insure dignity, nor are any so beautiful in outline or detail as to make us regret much that we do not know more about them. Still they are sufficiently original to be worthy of study, and when properly known may help to join together some of the scattered links of the chain which once connected the architecture of the West and East, but which is at present so difficult to follow out. Ill Athens there are several churches of considerable interest, and not without architectural pretension. They are all small, however. The largest is that known as Panagia Lycodemo, or the church of St. Nicodemiis, and is only <»2 ft. long by 45 ft. wide over all. It seems also to be the oldest, since its dome is partially pierced with 903. pianof Pana- wiudows iuside, thouo'li outsidc there is a distinctly Scale 100 ft. to 1 in. marked drum (Woodcut No. 904). JNotwithstaiuling the smallness of its dimensions, considerable effect is obtained internally by the judicious arrangement of the parts and 1 " ^glises Byzantines en Grece." ^ "Expedition Scientifique de la Moree."