Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/441

Rh From this narthex three doorways generally opened into the church, corresponding with the three aisles; and if the building possessed a font, it ought to have been placed in one of the chapels on either the right or the left hand of the principal entrance.

The choir, with its two pulpits, is shown in the plan—that on the left-hand side being the pulpit of the Epistle, that on the right of the Gospel. The railing of the bema or presbytery is also marked, so is the position of the altar with its canopy supported on four pillars, and behind that the throne of the bishop, with the seats of the inferior clergy surrounding the apse on either side.

Besides the church of San Clemente there are at least thirty other basilican churches in Rome, extending in date from the 4th to the 14th century. Their names and dates, as far as they have been ascertained, are set forth in the accompanying list, which, though not altogether complete, is still the best we possess, and is sufficient for our present purpose.

Constantine (5 aisled) about 330 Ditto founded 333?

Theodosius and Honorius (5 aisled) 386

335?

Pope Celestine about 425

Pope Sixtus III. 432

Eudoxis (Greek Doric pillars) 442

(old part) Pope Pelagius (galleries) 580

Gregory the Great (no side-aisles) 600

Honorius I. (galleries) 625

Honorius I 625

Leo II 682

Gregory III. 625

Adrian I. 790?

790?

790

(nave) about 790?