Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/229

 ROMAN ARCHITECTURE. 171 GREEK. Jupiter Olympius at Athens may be considered a Roman building, or rather as a Gree k design mainly carried out by Romans. (See page go.) The Acanthus leaves surrounding the " bell " were of the prickly acanthus (acanthus spinosus) type (No. ^2> f» ")> having pointed leaves of V- shaped section. Shafts of columns were fluted. The Composite Order was never used by the Greeks, but a treat- ment somewhat similar is seen in the capitals of the Erechtheion where the necking under the Ionic scrolls are carved with the Anthemion ornament (Nos. 29 e and 41). F. Mouldings. (Nos. 39 and 40).— The Greeks relied for effect on the graceful contour of their mouldings, which approach conic sections in profile, and which, though often covered with deli- cately carved enrichments, never lose the idea of grace of outline which the decoration seems but to enhance. Executed in a fine- grained marble, they were often undercut so as to produce a fretted effect. Greek dentils are far apart, and occupy the whole depth of the moulding. Greek consoles used only as vertical brackets to doorways as in the Erechtheion doorway (No. 37). G. Ornament (Nos. 41, 42, 43 and 44). — The sculpture of the Greeks has never been surpassed, whether executed in isolated groups or in works within the boundaries of an architectural framing, as at the Parthenon. The ornamental sculpture used in the tympana of the pediments, the metopes and the friezes, and the carefully prepared cement used as a covering to stone or ROMAN. scroll or with figure ornaments. The cornice is also considerably enriched, modillions (consoles, brackets or corbels) being intro- duced and giving an apparent support to the corona, and have between them sunk and sculp- tured coffers. The mouldings under the corona are much enriched with carving, as is even the corona itself. Shafts were fluted or plain. The Composite Order was invented by the Romans, being used prin- cipally in the Triumphal Arches. The upper portion of the Ionic capital was combined with the lower part of the Corinthian. In other details the order follows the Corinthian, but with additional ornamentation. F. Mouldings (Nos. 39 and 40). — The Romans relied on the rich carving cut upon their mouldings, which are usually parts of circles in profile. Ostentation replaces refinement, and in the latest examples, every member being carved, a certain rich pictur- esqueness of surface is produced in cornices and dressings, although the execution of the carving to the mouldings them- selves is often of inferior work- manship. Roman dentils are close together, of less depth, and have a fillet underneath. Roman consoles used horizontally in cornices (No. 68) and vertically in kej'stones to arches (No. 67). G. Ornament (Nos. 67, 68 and 69). — The Romans did not excel either in sculpture or painting, but Greek artists were employed, and Greek examples were prized and copied. In later times both vaults and floors of importance were executed in mosaic, but many examples show great vul- garity of sentiment. In the case of marble, for wall facings and