The Posticum of the Temple was equal to the Porch, having likewise a Gate, but all Temples had not Posticums, though almost every Temple had its Pronaos, or Porch.
The Middle of the Temple, called Cella, was a place inclosed with four Walls, having no Light but at the Gate, unless it were uncovered, as we shall shew hereafter.
The Portico’s which make the Isles, were ranks of Pillars, sometimes single, sometimes double, which stood along the Sides of the Temple on the out-side: some Temples wanted this part.
The Gates of the Temples were different according to the difference of the Order of the Architecture, according to which the Temple was built: there was the Dorick, the Ionick, and the Attick.
The height of the Dorick Gate was taken by dividing into 3 parts and an half, the space which is from below to the bottom of the Plat-fond of the Portico, which Platfond was called Lacunar: they allow'd 2 to the height of the Gate under the Lintel: this height was divided into 12 parts; 5 and an half were taken for the breadth of the Gate below, for above it was straiter by a 3d. part. A 4th. part, and even an 8th. part of the Chambranle or Door-Case, according to the height of the Gate, which was to be less straitened above, the higher it was. The breadth of the Chambranle or Door-Case, was the 12th. part of the height of the Opening of the Gate.
The Chambranle or Door-Case grew straiter and straiter towards the top, viz. the 4th. part of its breadth: it was only edged with a Cymatium, with an Astragal.
Upon the Cymatium above the Chambranle or Door-Case, was a Frise called Hyperthyron, which had the same breadth with the Chambranle or Door-Case. Upon this Frise was placed a Dorick Cymatium, with a Lesbian Astragal; both of them jetting out very little.
Upon the Moulures the Flat-Crown was placed, with its little Cymatium, which jetted out the whole breadth above of the Chambranle or Door-Case, with its Mould.
The height of the Ionick Gates was taken as those of the Dorick; but to have the right breadth, they divided the height into 2 parts and an half: To allow them one and an half below, it was straitned at the top, as the Dorick Gate was; the breadth of the Chambranle was the 14th. part of the height of the Opening of the Gate; this breadth of the Chambranle, or Door-Case, being divided into 6, one was allowed for the Cymatium, the rest being divided into 12, 3 were allowed to the 1st. Face comprising its Astragal, 4 to the 2d. and 5 to the 3d.
The Frise which is called Hyperthyron, was made with the same Proportions that are in the Dorick Order. The Consoles or Shouldering-Pieces, descended directly to the bottom of the Chambranle or Door-Case, without comprizing the Foliage or Leaf-work that they had at the bottom: The breadth above was the 3d. part of that of the Chambranle or Door-Case, and at the bottom they grew straiter by a 4th. part.