Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/348

 316 ROMAN ARCHITECTURE. Part I. CHAPTER IV. BASILICAS, THEATRES, AND BATHS. CONTENTS. Basilicas of Trajan and Maxentiiis — Provincial basilicas — Theatre at Ofange ■ Colosseum — Provincial amphitheatres — Baths of Diocletian. Basilicas. WE have already seen that in size and magnificence the temples of Rome were among the least remarkable of her public buildings. It may be doubted whether, in any respect, in the eyes of the Romans themselves, the temples were as important and venerable as the basilicas. The people cared for government and justice more than for religion, and consequently paid more attention to the affairs of the basilicas than to those of the temples. Our means for the restoration of tills class of buildings are now but small, owing to their slight construction in the first instance, and to their materials having been so suitable to the building of Christian basilicas as to have been extensively used for that purpose. It happens, however, that the re- mains which Ave do ])0ssess comprise what we know to be the ruins of the two most spleiulid buildings of tliis class in Rome, and these are sufticiently complete to enable us to restore their plans with consider- able confidence. It is also fortunate that one of these, the Ulpian or Trajan's basilica, is the typical specimen of those with wooden roofs ; the other, that of Maxentius, commonly called the Temple of Peace, is the noblest of the vaulted class. The rectangular part of Trajan's basilica Avas 180 ft. in Avidtli and a little more than twice that in length, but, neither end having yet been excavated, its exact longitudinal measurement has not been ascer- tained. It was divided into five aisles by four rows of columns, each about 35 ft. in height, the centre being 87 ft. wide, and the side-aisles lio ft. 4 in. each. The centre Avas covered by a Avooden roof of semi- circular form, covered apparently Avith bronze plates richly ornamented and gilt. Above the side aisles was a gallery, the roof of Avhich Avas su]))jorted by an upper roAv of columns. From the same columns also sj)rang the arches of the great central aisle. The total internal height