The next important building is the Capitol or Temple of Jupiter, of which very little now remains, but that little coupled with Bruce’s beautiful sketch of it shows that it must have been a very splendid edifice ([Plate VII.])
A large peristyle existed before it, to which access was gained by a flight of six or eight steps. None of the columns are now erect; but splendid fragments, nearly six feet in diameter, lie scattered about. Five are represented as still standing in Bruce’s time, supporting a small portion of the entablature; they were of the Corinthian order, and fluted.
The foundations and part of the superstructure of the principal façade or entrance to the cella are still in place; this was most powerfully constructed and measures nearly six feet in thickness, the stones varying from three to five feet in length from two to three feet in breadth and twenty inches in height. An attic base, in blue limestone, lying on the spot measures six feet in breadth at its plinth. The most massive parts were built of rubble, encased in cut stone masonry composed of blocks of great size.
An inscription was here found on four stones, surrounded by a moulding, of which the following is a copy, completed by M. Léon Renier.
Pro magnificentia saeculi dominorum nostrorum Valentiniani et Valentis, semper Augustorum et perpetuorum, porticus capitolii, seriae vetustatis absumptus et usque ad ima fundamenta conlapsus, novo opere perfectus, exornatusque dedicavit Publilius Caeionius Caecina Albinus, vir clarissimus, consularis, curantibus Aelio Juliano iterum rei publicae curatore, Flavio Aquilino flamine perpetuo, Antonio Petroniano flamine perpetuo Antonio Januiariano flamine perpetuo.[83]
The palm-trees to the right of the picture have beyond all doubt been added by Balugani, to increase the effect of the pictures. No palm-trees exist within many miles of this place, and it is impossible to believe that the simple beauty of the architecture here depicted, and these distorted and misplaced trees could have been executed by the same hand.
Plate VII.
J. LEITCH &. Co. Sc.
CAPITOL, THAMUGAS (TIMEGAD)