Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/242

 222 A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud.i.a. to carry earth heaped at its base, it lost part of its thickness to facilitate the piercing of doors and windows ; but this diminution of bulk was compensated by outer supports i m. 69 c. in width, placed at stated intervals of 2 m. 91c; a bevelled plinth occurring to mark difference of construction. The wall between these pilasters was straight, whilst everywhere else a batter averaging from o m. 10 c. to o m. 12 c. is the rule. Another instance of this sunken face and ordinary bevel of early date is found in the wall of the mosque at Hebron, in the crypt of which a. late tradition places the remains of the patriarch Abraham. It is doubtful whether it dates from the Maccabees or the Idumsean dynasty ; l but it is certain that its builder owed nothing to the art of Greece ; ornament and constructiveness being of a decided Phoenician character. This striking ordinance, consecrated by hoary tradition, met with in places far apart from each other, we have framed with plain stones to impart variety of aspect to an extensive mural surface. The sunken face has been restricted to the lower portion or base of the wall, whilst an unpretending cornice and embattled edge ornament the top. 2 This device was in great favour with the Phoenician builder, who introduced it everywhere as a means of decoration. It is in perfect harmony with the construction of the temple, which, to a certain extent, was a fortress. To carry out this architectural feature, therefore, we have put two-storied towers at the four corners of the enclosure. 3 The windows at different levels serve the double purpose of breaking the monotony of a bare wall, and to let in light in the multitudinous subterraneous chambers and passages. The simple grandeur of style in the wall of Solomon (Plate III.) is without parallel in the old world, except perhaps in early Greek structures, such as the wall of Micenae, for instance. A whole system of arches or vaults supported the way which led to the main entrance, necessarily found at the external court of the Gentiles. It was but an opening into the wall, with a single pillar slightly projected on each side of the doorway, of a type common on the banks of the Nile, as were mullioned windows, which we have restored throughout in the buildings that encompass the court of Israel. 4 They receive the light at the back from the 1 Renan, Mission en Phcnicie, pp. 799-807. 2 Hist, de T Art, torn. iii. pp. 131, 132, Figs. 77, 78. s Ezek,, loc. cit. 1 Mist, of Art, toni. i. p. 344, Fig. 206.