Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/191

 Materials used in the Wall of the Enclosure. i 73 rose semi-circular vaults, and over the lintels discharging arches were placed (Fig. 120). That the whole restoration belongs to the " second method " is proved by the bulk and dressing of the stones ; by the marble shafts {a a on plan, Fig. 122), evidently taken from some earlier building, capped by Roman or Byzantine capitals ; by the base of an old statue, bearing an inscription to Antonine, placed upside down, an awkward blunder that could only have occurred in a period of decay ; and finally, by the inner construction of the chamber, suggesting throughout Byzantine influence. 1 The history Fig. 120. — Double Gate, outer elevation. De Vogué, Plate IV. of the wall of enclosure, too, helps us to fix an approximate date to the buildings raised on Moriah. We know that Justinian, besides the basilica already referred to, erected two hospices for the sick and pilgrims. 2 These have disappeared, but the church, under its modified name, El Aksa, still remains ; albeit so trans- formed that it is almost impossible to distinguish the parts that belonged to the first edifice. But the numberless ruins and churches scattered everywhere in Central Syria, dating from the fifth, sixth, and seventh centuries, exhibiting the special charac- teristics which mark El Aksa, enable us to solve the problem Byzantine emperors. But M. de Vogué informs me that he now inclines to ascribe the vault system to the " first method." Such roofing was admirably suited to the subterraneous passages made in the wall giving access to the inner esplanade. 1 De Vogué, Le Temple, chap. v. a Procopius, Justinia?is Buildings.