42 - Sardis. The “Screen Colonnade”

Detail of the Screen Colonnade highlighting the ellipsoidal section of the columns. The long axis has almost the same diameter as the large spirally-fluted columns of the Marble Court, while the short axis corresponds to the smaller columns of the pavilions. Thus in dimensions as well as visually, the Screen Colonnade was carefully related to the Marble Court.

Until the fifth century, the screen colonnade structure stood as described. Then a Byzantine rubble wall was built between the columns up to the first storey level. Three central entrances were made between the four central columns, and the column bases were partially hacked away to make the doors. This change radically altered the concept of the architectural unit; where there had been one long colonnade through which the Marble Court could be seen or entered at any point, now all movement was funneled through an axial center.

 

Source: Nancy L. Hirschland, "The Head-Capitals of Sardis"

 

Sardis, The Screen Colonnade and the Marble Court

 

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