The architectural remains are very scanty. Probably much of the first temple was built of mud bricks. The stone portions may have been used again in the building of the second temple, whose ornaments were of marble. Moreover, all marble and stone is eagerly sought for and removed by the modern Arab diggers.
Naukratis, Part I., 1884-5, by W. M. Flinders Petrie and others; Naukratis, Part II., 1885-6, by E. A. Gardner; G. Hirschfeld in Rhein. Mus., N.F., XLII. (1887), p. 209, and XLIV. (1889), p. 461; Kirchhoff, Studien, 4th edit. p. 43; Roberts, Greek Epigraphy, p. 323.
The First Temple of Apollo.
100.Columns.—The architectural members of the first temple were of limestone. They are insufficient to fix the dimensions of the temple, which was, however, small. Mr. Petrie supposes it to have been not more than twenty-five feet broad. A volute and a complete base of an Ionic column were discovered, but were immediately destroyed by Arabs. The following fragments are preserved:—
1, 2. Two members of an Ionic capital, consisting of two courses of an egg and dart moulding. The upper course is considerably the larger. The lower course is worked with a rebate to fit the upper course. Below the mouldings are the tops of the flutings.
Upper course—height, 5 inches; diameter, 1 foot 7½ inches; lower course—height, 4¼ inches; diameter, 1 foot 4½ inches. Naukratis, I., pl. 3.
3.Fragment of necking of a column, of a different design from the preceding, and surrounded by a pattern of lotus buds and lotus flowers.
Height, 11 inches; diameter, 1 foot 8 inches. Naukratis, I., pl. 3.
4.Fragment of necking of a column, somewhat similar to the preceding.
Height, 4 inches; width, 5 inches.