ON ANCIENT ROMAN AND ETRUSCAN ARCHITECTURE AND REMAINS, THE RESULT OF RECENT STUDIES MADE ON THE SPOT.

By G. L. TAYLOR, Esq. Architect. Read at the Royal Institute of British Architects, Jan. 24th, 1859.

I have willingly accepted the invitation to give you some of the results of my second visit to Rome, after an interval of nearly forty years, in the hope that I may be able to bring forward much fresh matter of interest, even to those who have already visited the Eternal City; as well as to explain the antiquities to those who have not had that advantage. In the period between my two visits the monuments which I saw, and drew, and published, have deteriorated much; but, on the other hand, a good deal has been done in the way of excavating and bringing to light other objects, not only interesting in themselves, but also assisting to identify the sites and remains of buildings, hitherto erroneously denominated.

The history of Rome and her monuments is unquestionably a noble theme. I do not, however, propose to enter on the subject further than is necessary in examining into the construction and probable periods of her ancient buildings. In these Rome stands pre-eminent among the cities of the earth; and the monuments of her fallen greatness, as well as the splendour of her Rénaissance, will attract attention as long as one stone stands upon another. At present our concern is with Ancient Rome. I will first explain the drawings I have brought to illustrate my subject. The large drawing is a representation of • perhaps the most interesting part of ancient Rome, from the Tabularium in the Capitol, over the whole area, where once was the Roman Forum; the view extending to the Coliseum in the distance, to the Arch of Titus, and to the Palatine Hill. This drawing is 10 ft. by 4 ft. 6, and the extent comprises 180 degrees of the horizon, which, consequently, cannot be embraced without turning the body; it should therefore be viewed at a distance of about 8 or 10 ft., the eye being level with the horizon. In the centre of the picture we are looking North, to the left nearly due West, and to the right East. We are standing above the Clivus Capitolinus, on the modern carriage-way leading from the Capitol down to the Via Bonella, where the road is about 30 ft. above the level of the ancient pavement at the Arch of Septimius Severus. Beginning from the left, we see the Modern Capitol angularly. In the centre of the square is the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, and on the North and South sides the galleries of sculpture and painting, buildings of Michael Angelo. Then comes the South flank of the Tabularium, where we see much of the ancient Etruscan walling of that building, now the offices of the modern S. P. Q. R. Next, the Eastern façade of the Tabularium, with its magnificent basement wall, formerly, and still nearly 300 ft. in length, and 26 courses, or 50 ft. in height; each course precisely 1 ft. 11 in height (two ancient Roman feet, or one modern Florentine braccio). This wall is 11 ft. 8 in thickness, with piers equal in width to the openings; and I found on careful examination that every stone in this vast building was a double cube of 1 ft. 11, that is, 3 ft. 10 long, 1 ft. 11 high, and 1 ft. 11 wide, all precisely of one size, laid "header and stretcher," and put together without any mortar or cement, with the finest joints, and the perpendiculars truly kept in them. On this subject I have much to say hereafter. Above this basement was an arcade with fifteen openings, the piers having half columns in front, of the Doric order, with Greek Doric capitals and architrave. Several of these arched openings are clearly traceable, and in one, the ancient masonry is exposed, but it was not considered safe to clear more with the high modern wall bearing upon them. Behind the front wall is a corridor, 15 ft. wide, the whole length, arched. On the North side of the Tabularium is seen the modern footway from the Capitol down to the church of S. Guiseppe de Falegnami, under which is the Mamertine prison. Above this view is the geometrical plan of the buildings from the Capitol to the Coliseum, to a scale of 1 in. to 10 ft. from measurement on the spot. This plan is 26 ft. in length, and represents an extent of half-a-mile. By it the various buildings seen in the view may be traced and referred to as we proceed, each building being delineated accurately to that scale. Continuing the view, we pass the remains of the Temple of Jupiter Tonans, then the Arch of Septimius Severus; between which is the Church of St. Luke. In the foreground is the Temple of Saturn (generally called of Concord); behind the Arch is the part of the Church of S. Adriano, the remains, it is supposed, of the Forum of Paulus Emilius. Between the two last columns of the Temple of Saturn is seen the Column of Phocas. Behind the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina appears the top of the Basilica of Constantine, generally called the Temple of Peace. In the distance is the Coliseum; in front of which is the Church of S. Francesca Romana. The line of the present Sacred Way is shown by trees recently planted from the Arch of Septimius Severus ; at that end, on a level of 30 ft. above that of the ancient road up to the Arch of Titus, where the pavement remains in its original level and state: more of this ancient pavement is seen in front of S. Francesca Romana. In this line occurs the Church of SS. Cosmo e Damiano, where the marble pavement or plan of various buildings of Rome was discovered. The Palatine is seen on the high ground to the right, covered with trees. Below the Arch of Titus are the three beautiful columns of what used to be called the Temple of Jupiter Stator, but now supposed to be that of the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux. Twenty names have been given to this temple, but I consider the Dioscuri entitled to the claim. Behind these columns is the Church of S. Maria Liberatrice, and to the right of that, the large brick building supposed to be the remains of the Curia Hostilia. Between the Temple of the Dioscuri (which is restored on the plan to its whole extent) and the Temple of Saturn, nearly the whole area is filled up by the pavement of an extensive building, lately discovered, which is supposed to be that of the Basilica Julia, built by Augustus and dedicated to his daughter.

By reference to the plan it will be seen, that from the carriage pavement of the Sacred Way there are for a considerable length, first, two steps and a landing of 4 ft. 4, then three other steps, then a landing of 3 ft., then a range of 6 in. marble pavement of blocks, 6 ft. 7 by 3 ft. 10, three in the width, then other two steps. Then another range of three 6 in. blocks, 6 ft. by 3 ft. 10 each; these six ranges of large blocks remain in place, 79 in number and 6 in width, in the whole length from East to West, filling up nearly the whole extent, viz. 300 ft. Then comes a range 2 ft. 10 wide, which appears to mark the line of the wall, or piers of the building, to the North; of which piers there appear to have been sixteen, 20 ft. from centre to centre. Then comes a thinner pavement, 15 in. thick, probably over the covered part of the building. It is too much destroyed to make out the pattern. In the will or record left by Augustus (called the Monumentum Ancyranum, wherein he boasts of having found Rome brick, and left it marble), this Basilica is mentioned as adjoining the Forum, and extending from the Temple of the Dioscuri to that of Saturn. He states that he is constructing it, and leaves directions to his heirs to finish it, in case of his death before its completion. This would appear decisive, both of the certainty of its being the Basilica Julia, and also of the nomenclature of the Temple of the Dioscuri (formerly called Stator), and of Saturn (formerly called Concord). How the three columns could ever have been supposed to be the remains of the Temple of Jupiter Stator, built and dedicated by Romulus, is unaccountable. At the West end are five brick piers, with stone springers, and the commencement of arches. This building was repaired by Domitian; and these would appear to be his work, from the nature of the brick (or tile) work. All this is shown on the large plan, every stone being marked with its dimensions. The modern road hides much of the recent excavations. I have therefore adopted a slide over the lower part of the drawing, by lowering which are exposedthe Temples of the twelve Dii Consentes, and the columns in front of them, of light-coloured marble. They are placed angularly, partly under, and wholly hidden by the modern road. These columns are all about 18 ft. high, and 1 ft. 10 diameter; the capitals formed of arms and shields, the shafts fluted, with astragals between the flutes, rounded at the top and bottom, and finished with a tongue between each, as in the interior columns of the Pantheon. In front of these temples was discovered a marble pavement, or area, under which were the offices of the notaries or barristers, called the Schola Xantha, from the curators, Bebrix Drusianus and A. Fabius Xanthus, who adorned them with marble, and erected silver statues to the gods. The marble sills of these cells or offices remain, and there was an alley to the North, the pavement of which remains; and there was another range of offices on the North side of it. Here, sat the lawyers to explain the laws to enquirers: at the end of the alley was an archway in the Tabularium wall, leading to a staircase, by which they ascended to the upper part of the building where the tables were deposited for reference. In the fire of Vitellius 30,000 of these tables of bronze were destroyed. The nature of them is known from some found and preserved at Gubbio. This archway was filled up with masonry, and the Northern range of the Schola Xantha removed by Vespasian; who being miraculously preserved from a thunderbolt, which killed his armour-bearer, resolved to dedicate a temple to Jupiter Tonans, and to obtain a site on this most sacred Clivus, built up the archway, and removed the Northern range of offices. This archway is now exposed to view, though still walled up; and after having much difficulty in obtaining permission from the senator, Prince Orsini, to plant a ladder, I followed the steps of this ancient staircase from an upper corridor (the steps up to which were also found, and are shown on the plan) down to the inside of this archway. In an angle of this staircase, when first discovered, were found office pens, or stili of the day, which are preserved in the Museo. This temple was in front hexastyle, the columns 47 ft. high, 4 ft. 10 diameter. The nature of the returns is only supposed. The steps of approach must have been difficult of arrangement, from the small space between it and the sacred Clivus. That this is the temple so dedicated to Jupiter Tonans there appears no doubt, however uncertain the identity of some of the others may be. To the North of this temple are the substruction and pavement of the Temple of Concord, also lately exposed. This temple, erected originally by Camillus, was restored by Tiberius. It appears to have been 150 ft. in extent from South to North, and the cell 60 ft. wide from East to West. In this great hall the senate was wont to hold its permanent sittings and councils on urgent affairs. It seems to have had a portico advancing in the centre, before the cell; and here Cicero addressed his celebrated orations to the assembled Fathers, when he saved the state from the dangers threatened by the Cataline conspiracy. The foundation for the steps in front remains, reaching to within 35 ft. of the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the door-step of the temple is still in its place, being composed of two pieces of "Pavonazzetto" marble, each 25 ft. in length, 4 ft. wide, and, 2 ft. thick. In the centre appear the pivots for the doors, with a sinking in the marble for a caduceus. The cell of this temple is peculiarly appropriate for public meetings, and the form of its façade is corroborated by medals. The whole area was paved with thin marble, the bedding of which, and some of the paving still appear, also some of the masonry of the high altar, and the marble lining of some of the walls, to the height of 6 or 8 ft. The same appearances are left in Jupiter Tonans. The substructions warrant the tracing of the front portico as hexastyle and systyle, as shown the plan, and the columns must have been nearly, or above, 6 ft. in diameter, and 60 ft. high. It does not appear that, at the time of the excavation, any of the columns or capitals were found, but enough of the entablature was collected to enable Canina to set up, partly original, partly restored, a

on

length of the whole entablature, which is represented on these drawings to the full size. The height of the architrave is 3 ft. 8, the frieze the same, and the cornice 6 ft. 44, total 13 ft. 97. He has also set up a length of the entablature of Jupiter Tonans in the same corridor. This cornice is very finely designed and executed, and its analogy with that of the so called "Jupiter Stator" is very striking. Concord has the advantage in size over Stator, but both bear the style of the Augustan period. As I before observed it was restored by Tiberius Cæsar. I also exhibit the entablatures of Concord and Stator, each a quarter the real size, for comparison.

We now work our way to the Arch of Septimius Severus, which is too well known to require much explanation. I found, however, at my recent visit that there are steps to the side arches. The Basalt, or lastricated pavement of the carriage way through the centre and all up the Clivus, rising rapidly, and proceeding tortuously between the Temple of Saturn and that of Jupiter Tonans, is all exposed; it may be traced also at the entrance of the Tabularium, and its course conjectured round the Dii Consentes, up to the Capitol. I have shown this on the large plan, and traced the probable course of the Via Sacra from the Meta Sudans, showing its supposed turn (and division into two), round the precinct wall of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, shown by Palladio, though I am by no means convinced that he ever saw such a precinct wall. Our early architectural restorers appear to have indulged a little in fancy, and we are in some instances misled thereby.

The other view is taken from a point near the Arch of Septimius Severus, looking across the Clivus Capitolinus to the Tabularium. To the left is the Arch of Septimius Severus, seen angularly; fronting you is the Temple of Saturn (formerly Concord). The steep ascent of the Clivus is well seen, the basement wall of Saturn being 15 feet high to the right, and double that height to the left. This base wall is of stones once appertaining to early construction, being pseudisodomum, or unequal in height. The modern carriage road leading to the Capitol, and its arches, are seen, and under them the columns in front of the Dii Consentes; and under them again the low level arches of brick of the Schola Xantha; the Tabularium Arcade, with its fine Isodomum basement wall underneath, also the three columns of Jupiter Tonans, and the foundation of the Temple of Concord; the modern building over the ancient arcade, and the tower of the modern Campidoglio.

I will now direct your attention to the large plan from the Capitol to the Coliseum, both inclusive, made from measurement, and to a scale of 1 in. to 10 ft. The extent comprised in this drawing (which is 26 feet in length) is 3,133 feet, or above half a mile. First comes the square of the modern Capitol, with Michael Angelo's buildings on three of its sides. Then the plan of the area of

the Tabularium is given, with the site of the staircase from the long corridor or arcade, up to an upper corridor, from which I descended by the other staircase to the back of the archway from the Schola Xantha. Every ancient stone of this immense building is a double cube of two ancient Roman feet, i.e., 3 ft. 10 x 1 ft. 11 x 1 ft. 11 of our scale. The carriage road to the South, and the footway on the North, down to the Forum, are shown; the site of the Temple of Concord, and the probable extent of its portico; Jupiter Tonans, the Dii Consentes, Schola Xantha, Temple of Saturn, and the Clivus winding between them to the Arch of Septimius Severus, and apparently also turning towards the Basilica Julia; the Column of Phocas and three pedestals; then the Rostra: the one to the West, circular in form, with a round pedestal at its North end, is found to be faced with thin marble of various colours in panels and pilasters. In front of these Rostra are the large and ancient tufo construction of walls, of which it is difficult to assign the use or purpose. By some they are supposed to be the earlier Rostra. On the North side of the Arch of Constantine is a bas-relief representing the Emperor holding his Court on these Rostra, and the representation of the scene and of the site is ingeniously traced to this spot by Canina.

The position of the Basilica Julia is shown, and of every block of the marble pavement in front of it, from which every one may make his own deductions; they definitively settle the extent of the Roman Forum in that direction, i.e. to the South. The position of the temples of Antoninus and Faustina, of Remus, of the Basilica of Constantine, of Adrian's temples of Venus and Rome, of the Arch of Titus, the Coliseum, the pedestal of Nero's statue, the Meta Sudans, and the probable course of the Via Sacra, of which the pavement is found in several places, are also all represented.

These antiquities are described by numerous authors, of whom I have not less than 194 names in my list. Among the early historians, are Herodotus, Plato, Cicero, Varro, Horace, Pliny, Livy, Strabo, Vitruvius, cum multis aliis, and subsequently Sextus Rufus, Publius Victor, the Capitoline Base, the "Notitia," the "Mirabilia." These writers led the way and afforded arguments for a host of successors, of whom among architects are Alberti, Bramante, Baldassar Peruzzi, Sangallo, Labacco, Serlio, Scamozzi, Vignola, Palladio, Pirro Ligorio, Milizia, Vasari, Desgodetz, Fontana, Cameron, Du Perac. Then follow in my list 131 others, of which I will only mention Winkelmann, Agincourt, Cicognara, Piranesi, Guattani, Gell and Nibby, Pinelli, Bunsen, Müller, Niebuhr, Plâtner, Braun, Hobhouse, Burgess, Valadier, Taylor and Cresy, Murray's Handbook, for the general accuracy of which I can vouch, Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, the article Rome, in which the classical references to the subject, and the German and Italian controversies, are ably given; and though last, not least, Canina, who has fully gone into the whole subject. His works, however, are too extensive and too expensive for general possession, and difficult of reference; they require to be condensed, and the dimensions more clearly and accurately expressed.

I will now proceed to treat upon the interesting architectural relics, more upon their own testimony than that of verbose writers. "Parlano anche i Sassi." Even stones will speak! and sometimes more truthfully than writers. Commencing historically, we will take the known works during the period of the seven kings, i.e., from the foundation of Rome by Romulus, 753 years B.C., to Tarquinius Superbus, who was expelled in the 245th year of Rome. The length of the reigns of these seven kings is worthy of observation. 1. Romulus, 753 в.с., reigned 38 years. 2. Numa Pompilius, reigned 43 years; he came from Cures, the capital of the Sabines. 3. Tullus Hostilius, reigned 32 years; in his time the war with the Albans and the conflict of the Horatii and Curiatii occurred. 4. Ancus Martius, reigned 24 years; he enclosed the Aventine and Janiculum Hills, founded Ostia, built the Mamertine Prison, and the Sublician Bridge. 5. Tarquinius Priscus, reigned 39 years; he quitted the City of the Tarquins to come to Rome, built the Cloaca Maxima and the Pulcrum Littus. 6. Servius Tullius, reigned 44 years; he enclosed the Seven Hills with walls, a great part of which remain to this day, much having lately been discovered. 7. Tarquinius Superbus, reigned 24 years. His brutal rape of Lucretia eventually caused his expulsion from Rome; he fled to Tarquinii and claimed his Etruscan consanguinity. Porsenna, king of Clusium, marched to Rome with a large army in order to restore him, encamped on the Janiculum, and would have crossed the Tibur but for the heroic defence at the bridge by Horatius Cocles, who stayed the enemy while the bridge was destroyed behind him. Of these works there still remain-of Ancus Martius-the Mamertine Prison, upper and lower; of Tarquinius Priscus-the Cloaca Maxima, and the Pulcrum Littus, or beautiful shore; of Servius Tullius-the walls surrounding the City and enclosing the Seven Hills. All these are of the time of the kings and their dates are known; the stones speak for themselves; they are of tufo and all of the same dimensions, viz., the double cube of 2 ancient Roman feet-3 ft. 10 × 1 ft. 11 x 1 ft. 11, English, the joints worked with the greatest precision, and without cement. During the Republic, the Romans were engaged in 21 serious wars, and we can trace but little the dates of their works of construction; however the Tabularium is a fine exception, the date of which we know by an inscription