The great dome of St. Sophia (the boldest piece of novel construction ever, perhaps, attempted) forms the crown of a building quite original in plan; and this dome is placed, not as that of the Roman Pantheon, low down on thick walls of its own form, but suspended high above all the roof around it, on four arches, which spring from detached piers, the keystone alone of each arch giving a direct support to the dome; in every other part it overhangs the void in the boldest manner.

The circular work between these arches is carried in a manner which is comparatively easy to imitate now; but the rude and often picturesque results of attempts at imitation in mediæval times, more especially in the South of France, show how difficult the work was found to be at the outset.

Earthquake and faults of construction occasioned the rebuilding of the great dome; but it still crowns, after a trial of more than 1,300 years, one of the most beautiful buildings in existence.

Then the capitals of the columns, whose general outlines bear few traces of the ancient orders, were often carved each in a different manner, and, though harmonizing with each other in general outline, could bear separate scrutiny, and show each a special motive and design.

The carving of these capitals, and of the other beautiful scroll-work and foliage which decorate the walls of St. Sophia, has come down to us through the Normans, and is quite peculiar.

It had none of the soft, round forms which the Romans loved, but is cut in a sharp, crisp, and somewhat stiff style, casting distinctly marked and sharp shadows, and the eyes of the foliage and other well-marked parts are emphasized by being deeply drilled in. Many of the Byzantine characteristics had been, to a large extent, foreshadowed in Eastern buildings, even at so early a time as the Assyrian bas-reliefs; but it is to Byzantine architects, under the fostering care of Justinian, that we owe the picturesque changes and details of that style, the Byzantine, which takes its name from his capital and is, to a large extent, identified with himself.

All the drawings have been made for this volume by Mr. George Armstrong, formerly on the Survey Party under Captain Conder and Captain Kitchener.

(L.)

LIST OF PLATES.

PAGE
MAP ILLUSTRATING PROCOPIUS[Frontispiece]
PLAN OF CONSTANTINOPLE[1]
CHURCH OF ST. SOPHIA[5]
DETAILS OF CAPITALS, ETC., OF ST. SOPHIA[7]
SECTION OF ST. SOPHIA[9]
SS. SERGIUS AND BACCHUS, CHURCH OF[19]
FORTIFICATIONS AT DARA[42]
CASTLE AND COLUMNS OF EDESSA[60]
CISTERN OF IMBAHER OR BATHS OF ANTONINUS[132]
BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER SANGARIS[133]
ES SAKHRA (DOME OF THE ROCK)[139]
EL AKSA[140]
CHURCH ON MOUNT GERIZIM[144]
CHURCH AT BETHLEHEM[148]
CHURCH OF MAGNE KAHIREH[160]