Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/238

 l80 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. thus became stepping-stones from the Classic of pre-Christian times to the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages, which may be said to commence with these Basilican churches. Some authorities, however, believe the early Christian churches to have been evolved from the Roman dwelling-house, where at first the community were in the habit of assembling, or from the class-room where philosophers taught. How suitable the Roman basilica type (No. 58) was for Christian worship is seen from the plan of S. Clemente, Rome, A.D. 1084 (Nos. 72, 73 b), which, although rebuilt in the eleventh century, contains the original internal arrangement of the churches of the fifth century. An atrium or forecourt, being an open space surrounded by arcades, formed an imposing approach in most of the Basilican churches. The covered portion next the church called the narthcx was the place for penitents. In the centre of the atrium was a fountain or well, the water from which was used for washing before entering the church — a custom which still survives in an altered form amongst Catholics, who dip their fingers into a stoop, or holy-water basin, at the entrances of their churches. The nave, lighted by a clerestory of small windows, had an aisle on either side, such aisles being usually half the width of the nave. Occasionally two aisles occur on each side of the nave, as in the Basilicas of S. Peter (No. 75 c), S. Paul (No. 75 e), and S. John Lateran. Galleries for the use of women were sometimes placed over the aisles, as at S. Agnese and S. Lorenzo ; but where none existed the sexes sat apart on opposite sides of the nave. A transept, called the " bema," or " presbytery," which existed in a modified form in the pagan basilicas, was occasionally introduced, converting the plan into a Latin cross, of which the nave was the long arm. Some consider, however, that this cruciform ground plan was derived from the buildings erected for sepulchral purposes as early as the age of Constantine. A choir became necessary, owing to the increase of ritual, and was inclosed by low screen walls, or " cancelli " (from which the word chancel is derived), and provided with an " ambo " or pulpit on either side, from which the Gospel and Epistle were read (No. 72). The bishop look the place formerly occupied by the "proctor,"' or " qnestor " (page 136), until in subsequent ages the seat was moved to the side, becoming the bishop's throne. llh.Q presbyters, or members of the council of the early Church, occupied seats on either side of the bishop formerly occupied by the assessors. The apse became the sanctuary which remained circular-ended in Northern Europe. The altar in front of the apse, formerly used by the Romans