Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 19.djvu/466

Rh 446 P M P E I I whole portion of the city which lies to the west of this last line, towards the forum and the sea, has been more or less completely excavated ; but the greater part of that on the other side of it remains still unexplored, with the excep tion of the amphitheatre, and a small space in its imme diate neighbourhood. Altogether it may be calculated that about two-fifths of the whole extent has been already excavated. But there can be little doubt that the portion already known is the most important, as it includes the forum, with the temples and public buildings adjacent to it, the therm;e, theatres, amphitheatre, etc. The forum was unquestionably at Pompeii, as at Rome itself, and in all other Italian cities, the focus and centre of all the life and movement of the city, and was at once the resort of the lounger and the gathering place of men of business. Hence it was surrounded on all sides by public buildings or edifices of a commanding character. It was not, however, of large size, as compared to the open spaces in modern towns, being only 160 yards in length by 35 in breadth. Nor was it a centre of traffic in the modern sense of the word, being only accessible to any description of wheeled carriages at one angle, and the nature of its pavement, composed of broad flags of traver tine, excluding the idea of its being intended for their passage. It was surrounded on three sides by a portico, or rather by a series of porticos, some supported on arcades, others in the Grecian manner on columns ; and these porticos were originally surmounted by a gallery or upper story, traces of the staircases leading to which still remain, though the gallery itself has altogether dis appeared. It is, however, certain from the existing remains that both this portico and the adjacent buildings A. Gate of Herculaneum. 15. Gate of Vesuvius. C. Gate of Capua. D. Gate of Xola. E. Gate of Sarno. F. Gate of Xocera. G. Gate of Stabise. H. Gate of the Seashore. f. Forum. J. Temple of Jupiter. Plan of Pompeii. K. Basilica. L. Building of F.umacliiaO Clialciclicum&quot;). M. &quot; Pantheon.&quot; N. Temple of Hercules. 0. Great Theatre. P. Smaller Theatre. Q. Gladiators Barracks. H. Amphitheatre. S, T, t T . Public Baths. V. Temple (Fortuna Augusta). X. Temple of Venus. 1. House of Pansa. 2. House of Sal lust. .&quot;. House (if the Faun. 4. Villa of Anius Diomcdcs. had suffered severely from the earthquake of 63, and that they were undergoing a process of restoration, involving material changes in the original arrangements, which was still incomplete at the time of their final destruction. The north end of the forum, where alone the portico is wanting, is occupied in great part by a building, the most imposing in the whole city, which is now generally known, on grounds that may be considered satisfactory, as the temple of Jupiter. It was raised on a podium or base of considerable elevation, and had a portico with six Corinthian columns in front, which, according to Sir W. Cell, are nearly as large as those in the portico of St Paul s. This magnificent edifice had, however, been evidently overthrown by the earthquake of 63, and is in its present condition a mere ruin. On each side of it were two arches, affording an entrance into the forum, but capable of being closed by iron gates. The principal of these, at the north-east angle of the forum, was the approach by which that open space was entered in coining from the gate of Herculaneum ; the passage, however, was barred to wheeled carriages by a descent of three small steps. On the east side of the forum were four edifices, all of them unquestionably of a public character, but of which the names and attribution have been the subject of much controversy. The first (proceeding from the north) is generally known, though without doubt erroneously, as the Pantheon, or temple of the Twelve Gods ; but it is very doubtful whether it is a temple at all, and the latest authorities are disposed to regard it as a macellum or meat-market, though the situation would seem to be unhappily chosen for such a purpose. Next to this comes a building generally regarded as the curia or senaculum the meeting-place of the local senate, or town council. Beyond this comes another temple of small