In the preface to the third volume of Stuart's Anti quitics, by Revely, we learn that the columns of the Temple of Minerva were composed of single blocks in thickness ; that each course was somewhat more than one diameter high ; that the wall inclosing the cell was formed of a single row of marble blocks in thickness ; that the vertical joints alternately corresponded ; that from the top of the upper step to the bottom of the architrave, being 33 feet, there were 17 courses ; that each capital was of one block, 2 feet 9.9 inches high ; that the architrave lies upon them without any other precaution than perfect accuracy. The architrave con sists of three blocks in thickness, each reaching from centre to centre of the columns. The frieze is in two courses in height, and each of them so much short of thickness, as to admit the metope, a thin slab, to be pla ced against it. The triglyph tails in, in one height, but does not go through. The cornice is in blocks, which are the width of one mutulc and one space, their ends forming a complete course in the inside. The tympa num of the pediment is formed of one course of upright slabs on the outside face, with horizontal courses behind them. The pavement is formed in squares of equal size ; they arc large and thick ; the joints, as in the universal practice at Athens, are so neatly fitted, as scarcely to be discernible.
Adjacent to the Parthenon stood the singular and beau tiful structure, which contained the temples of Erech theus or Neptune, of Minerva l'olias, (or protectress of the city,) and that of Pandrosus, one of the daughters of Cecrops, (see Plate CLVIL) The principal mass of the building was of an oblong shape, with a portico of six Ionic columns at one end to the temple of Neptune, and four of the same order to that of Minerva. There was also another portico of six Ionic columns, which project ed partly from the side, and partly extended beyond one angle of the temple of Minerva. Opposite to this, on the other side of the last mentioned temple, was a small pro jection which composed the temple of Pandrosus ; and the front of this projection was supported by Cariatides. The floor of the temple of Neptune was about eight feet above the level of the other two. This irregularity of height and shape produces a fine effect, as will be ob served by consulting Plate CLVII. The columns of the portico of the temple of Neptune, including the base and cap, arc 21 feet 7.8 inches high, and 2 feet 3.8 inches diameter. The intercolumns, from centre to centre, are 6 feet 1 I 2 inches. Distance from the centre of the column to the face of the wall 6 feet 5 inches. The columns of the temple of Minerva are 22 feet 10 inches high, and 2 feet 9.34 inches diameter. The intercolumn, from centre to centre, is 10 feet 3.6 inches. The shafts of the co lumns arc fluted, and the neck of the caps enriched with honeysuckles. The caps are also enriched, as is one member of the architrave and two of the cornice. The same enrichment, as on the neck of the capitals, is car ried along the sides of the cell under the general archi trave, being a continuation of the cap of the ants. The
base, capitals, and entablature of the portico to the temple of Minerva arc beautiful. The upper torus of the base of the column is enriched with a Guilochi. The baso nearly resembles the attic, only the lower torus and plinth have more projection, which adds to the apparent stability. The capitals, at the external angles, have each a horn, like the modern Ionic. The height of the architrave is 2 feet 1.25 inches. The frieze 2 feet 2.6 inches. Level cornice of pediment only 11.3 inches. The windowmi to the Prontruts, which light the temple of Minerva. are 6 feet 4.36 inches in height ; they arc 3 feet 1.1 inch wide at the bottom, and 2 feet 10.35 inches at the top. The architrave stands on a sill at the bottom, and has a break on each side at the top. The height of the Cariatides in the temple of Pandrosus, is 7 feet 9.15 inches, including the caps. The figure only 7 feet 1.05 inches The en tablature they support is 2 feet 11.8 inches. It is very heavy, but highly enriched. This is the only ancient temple in which the entablature is supported by Caria tides. In the temple of Minerva Polias was placed the celebrated golden lamp, made by Callimachus, the in ventor of the Corinthian capital. This temple was burnt by Xerxes. The inscription published by Dr Chandler, contains a survey of the parts which remained to be com pleted in the 23d year of the Peloponnesian war. The estimate of the expence was from 300,0001. to 400,0001. sterling. Hence, it is not improbable, that this structure was begun during the administration of Pericles, and a stop put to it by his death, or by war.
The temple of Theseus at Athens, was one of the finest remains of the age of Pericles It was entirely built of Pentilic marble. It was a peripteros of the Doric order. The total length upon the upper step was 104 feet 2.9 inches ; the breadth 42 feet 2.95 inches. The portico consisted of six fluted columns, and IS on each side, counting those of the angles twice ; the height including the capital, 18 feet 7.18 inches; the diameter, 3 feet 3.4 inches ; the intercolumn 5 feet 3.95 inches, and 5 feet 4.05 inches, and next the angle 4 feet 6.35 inches. The height of the architrave was 2 feet 8.9 inches ; the frieze, 2 feet 8.53 inches; the level cornice, 1 foot 0.45 inches. The metopes and frieze under the portico were enriched; there is also a very rich Guilochi over the latter. The principal front faced the east ; here the pediment was filled with exquisite sculpture in alto-relievo, fixed in their places by metal cramps. In the metopes, in this front, were represented the labours of Hercules ; and in the four metopes next this front, in the north and south sides, were the labours of Hercules. The length of the tell, exclusive of the portico, pronaus, and posticum, was onlv 39 feet 9.2 inches, and the breadth 20 feet 4 inches.