A GLOSSARY OF ARCHITECTURAL TERMS AND CLASSICAL PROPER NAMES Abacus (ab'a-kus). The square plinth or tablet forming the upper or crown ing member of the capital of a column or pillar, supporting the Classical entablature. (See Fig. 61.) Abutment (a-but'ment). The solid masonry construction supporting each side of an arch, and calculated to resist its thrust. A pier or buttress built against a wall to receive or transmit a thrust. (See Plate XXIX.) Acanthus (a-kan'thus). A spiny plant whose leaf is used—in ized form—as a decoration for capitals, brackets, etc. (See Fig. 69.) Acropolis (a-krop'o-lis). The upper or higher part of a Grecian city; hence, a citadel or castle; generally used with special reference to the Acropolis at Athens, crowned with the Parthenon. (See Frontispiece illustration.) Acroter (ak're-ter), Acroterium (ak-ro-te'ri-um); plural, Acroteria (ak-re-te' ri-a). A small pedestal placed on the apex or at the basal angle of a pediment to support a statue or other ornament; a statue or ornament placed on such a pedestal. Fig. 45.) lEgean (1-Wan). A "sea" or gulf of the Mediterranean, lying east of Greece. JEgina (e-ji'na). The capital city of an island of the same name in the .Egean Sea, containing a famous Greek Doric temple of Pallas Athene or Miner va, the goddess of wisdom and war.
Agrigentum (ag-ri-jen'tum). A city on the south coast of Sicily (the modern Girgenti), noted for its Doric temple of Zeus and many other Greek structures dating from before the Carthaginian conquest in the 5th cen tury B. C.
Agrippa (a-grip'pa). A Roman general, born B. C. 63, the leading statesman of the reign of Augustus. The present Pantheon was erected on the site and—in part—from the materials of an earlier temple built by him, dedi cated in 27 B. C.
Aizani (1-zan'1). A small town of Phrygia, Asia Minor, containing some early remains of Greek workmanship. (See Fig. 135.) Akroter (ak'rQ-ter). Same as Acroter.
Alban (al-bm'ni). A villa near Rome containing an unusual example of the Roman Doric Order. (See Fig. 117.) Alberti (al-ber'te), Leone Battista. A Renaissance architect and writer on architecture.
Ambulatory (am'bu-18-to-ri). A covered passage or walk, generally located just within the main walls of a building; a passage around the choir in the apse or chancel of a cathedral, or between the columns and walls of a circular building. (See Fig. 78.) Amphiprostyle (am-phip're-stil). Provided with a columned portico at each end. (See Figs. 33 and 34.) Amphitheatre (am-fi-the'a-ter). A structure whose plan is laid out on a sys tem of curves around a central pit or arena, and generally intended for spectacular purposes. (See Fig. 112.)
Ancon (an'kon). A boss or projection left on a block of masonry to serve as a console or small bracket. The vertical corbel supporting the cornice in a Roman doorway. (See Figs. 138 and 139.) Ancona (an-co'na). A. town on the Adriatic Sea, containing a Roman single arch in a comparatively good state of preservation, dating from about 112 A. D., erected in honor of Trajan. This arch is unique from the fact that it can be approached only by ascending a flight of steps. (See Fig. 137.) Andron (an'dron). An open space, court, or passage in a Greek building; also the portion of a house especially appropriated for males.
Andronicus Cyrrhestes (an-dron'i-kus sir-rhes'tez). A Syrian mathematician, best known as the builder of the so-called Tower of the Winds in Athens. (See Fig. 72.) Annulet (an'nU-let). A small fillet, circular in plan and usually square or angular in section, under the echinus of the Doric capital. It is also sometimes used at the base of the column and in connection with other mouldings. (See Figs. 41-44; and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Plate XXXIX.) Ants (an'ta). Plural, ante. Greek pilasters, placed at the ends of the side walls of a temple, forming the corners, whose bases, capitals and propor tions differ from the accompanying columns, when columns are placed between them. (See D, Fig. 2; also Fig. 91.) These columns are said to be in e., between ante. (See Plate XXXV, Temple of Diana Propylæa.) Antefix (an'te-fiks). Plural, antefixes. Ornamental blocks placed at regular intervals on th, eaves or cornices of Classic buildings to cover the termi nation of the tiling ridges. (See Plates XXXVI and L.) Anthemion (an-the'mi-on). Sometimes called "honeysuckle." A floral ornament employed—generally with the acroteria—to decorate Classic friezes and capital neckings. (See Plate XL and Fig. 92.) Antorenus (au-to-ni'nus). A Roman emperor, A. D. 138-161. (See Plate LIV.) Apollo Didymæus (a-pol'lo did-i-me'us). One of the many name sunder which the Olympian god Apollo was known. In his honor was built a temple near Miletus in Asia Minor, a splendid example of the Ionic Order. (See Fig. 71.) Apophyge (a-pof'i-je). The cavetto or concave sweep at the top and bottom of some column shafts, leading to the capital and base; the hollow or Scotia beneath the echinus of the earliest Doric capitals, leading to the shaft. (See Figs. 122, 126, and 128.) Apse (aps). The curved or angular and vaulted end of a church, back of the altar.