LESSON 3

Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:

1. understand the development of Roman architecture;

2. distinguish the architectural character of Roman architecture;
3. appreciate Roman architecture through its sample structures;
4. be familiar with some Roman architectural terminologies;
5. understand the development of Early Christian architecture;
6. distinguish the architectural character of Early Christian architecture;
7. appreciate Early Christian architecture through its sample structures; and
8. be familiar with some Early Christian architectural terminologies.

Pre-test

Instruction: Write the letter that corresponds to the correct answer before each number.
Strictly no erasures. 2 points each.

1. Chief building material used by Romans.

a. concrete b. stone c. marble d. wood
2. Public square or market place of ancient Roman city; counterpart of Greek agora.
a. Forum b. Basilica c. Thermae d. Balneum
3. Columns at the ground floor of the Colosseum.
a.Doric b. Ionic c. Corinthian d. Composite
4. Most sacred part of the church.
a. altar b. sanctuary c. apse d. narthex
5. Emperor who ordered construction of the largest public bath ever built in Rome.
a. Nero b. Vespasian c. Septimius d.
Caracalla
6. Part of church in which baptism is administered.
a. baldachino b. baptistry c. dais d. reredos
7. Greek Responsible for the spread of Christianity.
a. Nero b. Constantine c. Titus d. Hadrian
8. used over the nave of a basilican church.
a. rafter b. dome c. barrel vault d. cross vault
9. Room in the thermae used for all types of ball games.
a. palaestra b. unctuaria c.sphaeristerium d. nymphaeum
10. Canopy supported by columns usually placed over an altar.
a. baldachino b. baptistry c. dais d. reredos
GENERAL TOPIC

Roman Architecture (2nd century – 4th century AD)

I. Influences

A. Geographical Influence

The geographical position of Italy conferred upon her special and obvious
advantages for taking up and carrying northward and westward the arts of
civilization. Rome has a commanding position in the Mediterranean sea which
enabled to act as an intermediary in spreading art & civilization over Europe,
Western Asia & North Africa. There is a marked geographical difference between
Greeks & the Romans with regards to National character, Romans were very close.

B. Geological Influence

A scarcity of good harbors was the only drawback amid the blessings of a glorious
climate, fertile soil, varied scenery, and rich material resources. Chief building
material was concrete which rendered finest example of Roman Architecture. They
also have ample supply of marbles, terra-cotta, stone, bricks, sand, gravel & timber.
Concrete was formed of stone or brick rubble & a mortar of which the important
ingredient was “pozzolana”.

C. Climatic Influence

Rome was divided into 3 regions: North Italy which is temperate, Central Italy which
is sunny & genial (comforting) & South Italy which is almost tropical.

D. Religious Influence

Religion became part of the constitution of the state. They venerated more their
emperors than their gods & because of this attitude; there were less temples to
make worships.

E. Social & Political Influence

The Romans were above all things a practical people. Their consummate skill as
organizers is manifest in the marvelous administrative institutions of their
government, under which they united the most distant and diverse nationalities. The
architects of Rome marvelously extended the range of their art, and gave it a
flexibility by which it accommodated itself to the widest variety of materials and
conditions. They made the arch and vault the basis of their system of design,
employing them on a scale previously undreamed of, and in combinations of
surpassing richness and majesty. They systematized their methods of construction
so that soldiers and barbarians could execute the rough mass of their buildings, and
formulated the designing of the decorative details so that artisans of moderate skill
could execute them with good effect. They carried the principle of repetition of
motives to its utmost limit, and sought to counteract any resulting monotony by the
scale and splendor of the design. Above all they developed planning into a fine art,
displaying their genius in a wonderful variety of combinations and in an unfailing
 sense of the demands of constructive propriety, practical convenience, and artistic
effect.

Social life is revealed in their architecture (love of extravagance) there were circus,
thermae, amphitheaters, theaters, basilicas, state temples, apartment house or
domus & forum. Romans were not colonizers but conquerors. They have the
outward expression of the national love of power.

Important Emperors who patronizes Architecture in Rome:

1. Nero – ordered the reconstruction of Rome after the

Great Fire of Rome (that lasted for 6 days), to build his dream “Golden Palace” /
Domus Aureus & his 20-ft high statue; considered as the 1 st anti-christ in the
eyes of the Christian Church
2. Vespasian – to whom the Colosseum of Vespasian
was named after; noted for mildness & healthy sense of justice
3. Titus – to whom the Arch of Titus was named after, to
celebrate his triumph over the Jews; opened the Flavian Theater (Colosseum)
4. Trajan – enlarged program for public works, road
networks were renovated; to whom Trajan’s Forum & Trajan’s Column was
named after
5. Hadrian – initiated many building works & defenses
such as Hadrian’s Wall; responsible for the Pantheon; took a keen interest in
architecture & was directly responsible for the development of many fine
buildings & structures during his reign
6. Septimius Severus - restored a very large number of
ancient buildings - and inscribed on them his own name, as though he had
erected them
7. Caracalla – ordered that statues & pictures be sent
back to Rome & bore a face which was half Caracalla & half Alexander, because
he had delusions that he was Alexander the Great; Black Roman Emperor;
ordered the building of large baths that are named in his honor
8. Diocletian – ordered the destruction of all churches &
scriptures within the empire, reviving the worship for the Roman Gods; founded
“Tetrarchy” – the rule of four – four emperors to rule the empire

F. Historical Influence

Periods of Development:
1. Etruscan & Early Roman – notable for the use of the true & “radiating arch”,
they were the earliest civilization & great builders, invented the “tuscan capital”,
their temples were oriented at the south. Houses of the Greek megaron type
seem to have appeared; temples began to show Greek influence in having
buildings within the enclosure to house the god or cult image;
2. Late Republican & Early Imperial Roman – adopted the columnar &
trabeated style of the Greeks & developed the arch, vault, dome of the
Etruscans. Architectural changes include: the introduction of new proportions
relating to the use of different materials; the adoption of the Classical Greek
orders, particularly the Corinthian; the combination of these order with an arched
form of construction; & the widespread use of vaulted & domed forms.
3. Late Imperial Roman – broadly from the reign of Nero to that of Hadrian, the
principal innovations were in spatial planning, & were made possible by the
complete mastery of concrete for vaulting. The domestic architecture was more
 concerned with interiors than with exteriors & there was a further exploration of
the relationships between spaces.

II. Architectural Character

 Vastness & Magnificence

 Ostentation & Ornateness

 System of Construction
 Trabeated & Arcuated

 Principal Material
 Concrete made of pozzolana & lime

 Comparative Analysis
 Plan – symmetrical & asymmetrical; convey an impression of vastness &
magnificence, & are characteristic of a powerful & energetic race; temples,
regardless of orientation, faced the forum so as to have easy access
 Walls – made of stone & concrete; very thick walls

o Types of Roman Wall Facings:

1. Opus Quadratum – made of rectangular blocks of
stone with or without mortar joints but frequently
secured with dowels & cramps.
2. Opus Incertum – small irregularly shaped stones
laid in a loose pattern roughly assembling the
polygonal work.
3. Opus Reticulatum – stone are laid in a net-like pattern,
fine joints were in diagonal lines like the meshes of the
net.
4. Opus Testaceum – stones are laid like bricks, triangular
in shape.

5. Opus Mixtum –
consisted of
bands of “tufa” introduced at intervals in the
ordinary brick facing or alternation of rectangular
blocks with small squared stone blocks.

o Types of Roman Buttresses:

1. Hemicycle/Niche – buttresses placed as close as possible
2. Spur buttress – attached to the wall to help columns carry load
3. Pinnacle – enhanced spur buttress

 Openings – doorways: both square- & semi-circular-headed; windows: generally

semi-circular headed, frequently divided vertically by 2 mullions; colonnades &
the new system of arcades were both in use internally & externally
  Roof – roof coverings normally were terra-cotta tiles, but occasionally marble, or
bronze; use o vault & dome; types:
o Semi-circular/Wagon-headed/Barrel Vault
o Cross Vault
o Hemispherical Dome – usually has opening
@ the center (Oculus - opened to the sky)

 Columns – the orders were often used in conjunction with the pier & arch, soon
lost their structural importance & became chiefly decorative; orders were
superimposed with columns being placed on top of pedestals to secure greater
height; two capitals developed:

1. Composite Order – combination of Ionic & Corinthian

Capitals
o Parts:
(refer to the drawing)
o Column
= 10 x the diameter
o
Entablature = 2 ½ x the diameter

2. Tuscan Order – counterpart of Doric capital.

a. Pa
rts: (refer to the drawing)
b. Column = 7 x th
c. Entablature = 1

 Mouldings – taken from parts of circles; workmanship

frequently was coarse, due in part to the vast extent of
Roman undertakings & sometimes to the quality of the
stones employed

 Ornament – mosaic & frescoes in vaults, floors, walls, etc.

o Mosaic Ornament – most popular; 3 types:
1. Opus Tesselatum/Vermiculatum – tesserae are usually square pieces
(tesserae - small materials used in mosaic patterns)
2. Opus Sectile/Scutulatum – cut into shapes to form the pattern, used on
walls
3. Opus Spicatum – tesserae are in chevron or herrington-bone pattern,
used on floors
o Acanthus Scroll- favorite ornament of Romans
o Mural Painting
o Statuaries

III. Roman Structures

1. Forum – public square of marketplace of an ancient Roman city, the
center of judicial & business affairs, & a place of assembly of people, usually
including a basilica & a temple, counterpart of the Greek Agora.
Ex. Forum Romanum, Rome – oldest & most important, used as Hippodrome;
Forum of Trajan, Rome – largest

2. Temples –(rectangular) shorter than Greek temple, has single

chamber “cella”, faces the front of the forum, used pseudo-peripteral, raised in a
podium & oriented towards the south; (circular &polygonal) derived from the temples
of the Greeks & the Etruscans which became the prototype of the Christian
baptistery.
Ex. Temples of Venus & Rome, Rome – unusual for having 2 cellas (for Venus &
Rome); Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus
Temple of Fortuna Virilis, Rome
Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome – one of the largest & finest of Roman temples
Temple of Diana, Nimes
Temple of Vespasian, Rome
Temple of Jupiter, Spalato
Temple of Saturn, Rome
Maison Carree, Nimes – best preserved Roman temple in existence
Temple of Vesta, Rome – holiest shrine & source of Roman life & power;
Temple of Portunus, Rome
Temple of Venus, Baalbek
The Pantheon, Rome - Corinthian temple; most important so called the “Temple
of the Gods”’ most famous & perfect preservation of all ancient buildings in
Rome. It was now converted into a Christian church named Sta. Maria Rotonda.

3. Basilicas – halls of justice & commercial exchanges link between

Classic & Catholic architecture; rectangular in plan (2x as long as its width)
Ex. Trajans Basilica, Rome – Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus
Basilica of Constantine, Rome – also known as Basilica of Maxentius or Basilica
Nova

4. Thermae – a palatial public bath resorted also for news & gossip &
served like a modern club, with 3 main parts;
a. Main Building or Central Structure with chief apartments:
 Tepidarium – warm room like sauna
 Caldarium – hot room or with hot water bath
 Frigidarium – cooling room
 Sudarium – dry sweating room also called “Laconicum” - hottest bath
 Natatio – swimming pool
 Apodyterium – dressing/changing room
 Palaestra – for physical exercise
 Unctuaria / Untoria – place for oils & perfumes
 Sphaeristerium – room used for all types of ball games
 Nymphaeum - room or area having a fountain, statues, flowers
b. Xystus or Public Park with avenues of trees – a large open space with trees,
statues & fountains, part of it was used as a stadium for foot-racing & where
athletic sports took place with raised seats at the side for spectators
c. An outer ring of apartments – containing the following:
 Lecture room
 Exedra
  Collonade
 Large Reservoir
 Shops
Ex. Thermae of Caracalla – accommodated 1,600 bathers
Thermae of Diocletian – largest with capacity of 3,000 bathers; converted into the
church of S. Maria deli Angeli by Michelangelo
Thermae of Titus
Thermae of Agrippa

5. Balneum – small, private bath in Roman palaces & houses

containing the following:
a. Tepidarium b. Calidarium c. Frigidarium

6. Theaters or Odeion – built up by means of concrete vaulting,

supporting tiers of seats, restricted to a semi-circle.
Ex. Theater of Marcellus, Rome
Theater Orange – noted for the good state of preservation of the wall behind
the stage, which is almost 100m long & 35m high; accommodated 7,000
spectators

7. Amphitheaters or Colloseum – used for gladiatorial combats,

elliptical in plan
Ex. The Colosseum, Rome – known as “Flavian Amphitheater”, accommodated
50,000 spectators, with valerium, podium & vomitory; façade is divided into 4
storeys:
Ground floor: Doric Column with ¾ shafts
Second floor: Ionic Column with ¾ shafts
Third floor: Corinthian Column with ¾ shafts
Fourth floor: Corinthian pilasters with corbels

8. Circus – for horse & deadly chariot racing derived from Greek
hippodrome
Ex. Circus Maximus – oldest & largest circus in Rome, 2000 ft long & 650 ft wide
& seated 255,000 spectators; with carceres & spina

9. Tombs – Romans practiced all forms of burial, cremation & interment

& thus sarchophagi for the body & urns for the ashes are sometimes found in the
same tomb chamber; classes:
 Coemeteria /Subterranean vaults – later was called “Catacombs” by the
Early Christian period, contained the ff:
a. Columbaria – niches formed in the rock to receive a vase containing
the ashes of the deceased & with the name inscribed thereon.
b. Loculi – or recesses for corpse were sealed with a front slab inscribed
with the name, niche for the dead body.
 Monumental Tombs – consisted of a large cylindrical blocks, often on a
quadrangular podium, topped with a conical crown of earth or stone,
similar to the mausoleum design.
Ex. Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome
Mausoleum of Hadrian, Rome
Tomb of Caecilla Metella, Rome
 Pyramidal Tombs – followed the design of the Egyptian pyramids
Ex. Pyramid of Caestius, Rome
  Temple-shaped Tombs – usually consisted of a mortuary chapel often
having a colonnaded portico or peristyle; standing on a podium in which
was the sepulchral vault
Ex. Mausoleum of Diocletian, Spalato
 Sculptured Memorials – minor tombs, small but richly ornate outside
Ex. Tomb of Naevoleia Tyche, Pompeii
 Cenotaph – memorial monuments to person buried elsewhere
occasionally erected

10. Commemorative Monuments

 Triumphal Arch – erected to commemorate victorious campaign of Emperors &
Generals, has horse figure on top
Ex. Arch of Trajan, Beneventum – one of the best preserved Roman
structures in South Italy; bas reliefs commemorate Trajan’s Dacian
wars & triumphs
Arch of Titus, Rome – built to commemorate the capture of
Jerusalem; single-arch type
Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome – triple-arch type; commemorate
triumph in Parthian wars
Arch of Constantine, Rome – built in honor of Constantine’s victory
ver Maxentius
 Town Gateways & Archways – 3 main types:
a. as a protective wall & commemorative monument
b. as an ornamental portals to forum or market places
c. arch built at main street intersection which were colonnaded
Ex. Porte S. Andre & the Porte d’ Arroux, Autun
Porte De Mars, Rheims
Portico of Octavia, Rome by Augustus
 Pillars of Victory or Monumental Column – erected to record triumphs of
victorious Generals (conquered by land)
Ex. Trajan’s Column, Rome – Roman Doric Column, made entirely of
marble, with a total height of 115 ft 7” high & a shaft 12 ft 12” diameter
with a spiral staircase
 Rostral Column – frequently erected in the time of the emperors to
celebrate naval victories & took their name from the rostra, or rows of
captured ships

11. Palaces – used to house the Emperors

Ex. Palaces of the Emperors, Rome – impressive even as ruins, situated in the
Palatine Hill
Golden House of Nero, Rome
Palace of Diocletian, Spalato – largest palace & called “a city in a house”
covered a total of 8 acres, almost the size of Escorial, Spain.

12. Roman Dwellings – 3 types:

 Domus – private house without windows, instead used
courtyards for ventilation; center of family apartments. Typical Parts:
a. Prothyrum – entrance passage
b. Compluvium – a roof opening through which rainwater discharged into a
cistern in the atrium beneath
c. Atrium / Cavaedium – main/central hall open to the sky
d. Impluvium – a cistern set in the atrium to receive rainwater from the
compluvium
 e. Tablinum – open living room
f. Peristyle – inner colonnaded court with garden, center of the private part
of the house
g. Cubicula – bedroom
h. Triclinia – dining room
i. Alae – recesses or place of conversation
j. Culina - Kitchen & Pantry
Ex. House of Livia, Rome
House of Surgeon, Pompeii
 Villa – luxurious country house with surrounding terraces &
gardens, colonnades, palaestrae, theaters & thermae; 3 parts:
a. Villa Urbana – luxurious part where the owner & his family
lived
b. Villa Rustica – housed the farm managers & laborers
c. Villa Fructaria – storehouse for all the products from the farm
Ex. Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli
 Insula – apartment block, multi-storeyed tenement also called
“workmen’s dwelling; common feature: balcony;

13. Aqueducts – used for water supply with smooth channels or

“specus” lined with hard cement & carried on arches, in several tiers
Ex. Aqua Marcia, Rome
Aqua Claudia, Rome – built with Emperors Caligula & Claudia

14. Bridges or Pons – simple, solid & practical construction designed to

resist the rush of water, most important engineering structure using arch.
Ex. Pons Sublicius, Rome
Pons Mulvius, Rome
Pons Fabricius, Rome
Bridge of Augustus, Rimini

15. Fountains – striking features of ancient & modern Rome, types:

 “Lacus” or Locus – designed similar to a large basin of water
 “Salientes” – similar to a large basin of water with spouting
jets

II. Roman Terminologies:

1. Carceres – stall for horses & chariots, the circus has 12 carceres
2. Dome – curved roof structure spanning an area, often spherical in shape
3. Exedra/Exhedra – large niche or recess, usually with a bench or seats,
semicircular or rectangular in plan & either roofed/unroofed
4. Fresco – art or technique of painting on a freshly spread, moist plaster
surface with pigments ground up in water or a limewater mixture, also a picture or
design so painted.
5. Groin vault – a compound vault in which barrel vaults intersect, forming
arrises called groins.
6. Mosaic – a picture or decorative pattern made by inlaying small, usually
colored pieces of tile, enamel or glass in mortar.
7. Nymphaeum – literally a building consecrated to the nymphs; it was a large
& richly-decorated chamber, with columns, niches & statures & a fountain in the
center
8. Peribolus – the enclosing wall or colonnade surrounding a temenos or
sacred enclosure, & hence sometimes applied to the enclosure itself.
 9. Podium – a raised platform encircling the arena or amphitheater, having on it
the seats of privileged spectators.
10. Rostra – platforms for public speaking; used as a place for displaying the
prows of captured ships
11. Specus – water channel or the covered canal of an aqueduct
12. Spina – the dividing wall in slightly oblique direction
13. Superimposition/Supercolumniation – the placing of one order after another
or above another
14. Vault – structure based on the principle of the arch, often constructed of
masonry; typically consists of an arrangement of arches that cover the space below
15. Velarium – a canvas awning over an ancient Roman amphitheater to protect
the audience from the rain or sun
16. Vomitory – large opening permitting large number of people to enter or leave

Early Christian Architecture (4th century)

I. Influences

A. Geographical Influence

Christianity had its birth in Judea, Eastern province of the Roman Empire. Early
Christian Architecture was influenced by the existing Roman art.

B. Geological Influence

The ruins of the Roman buildings provided quarry where materials were obtained.
This influenced the style of construction, decoration for columns & other
architectural features as well as fine sculptures & mosaic from older building which
were turned into basilican churches of the new faith.

C. Climatic Influence

The climatic conditions of Roman provinces where Christianity was established

naturally modified the style. The fiercer the sun & hotter climate necessitated small
windows & other Eastern features.

D. Religious Influence

The first Christians already had the synagogue as their place of worship, they grew
in numbers & they met for prayer & for their central act of worship – which gradually
developed into the formalized liturgy of the Eucharist. When large numbers of
people participated in the ceremonies, they did so in the open air, but the Eucharist
called for a different sort of participation. Constantine wished to make an immediate
impact with his new church commissions, for the building itself, therefore, the form
chosen was that which was suitable with virtually no modification, had few
undesirable connotations arising from its previous uses & could be built rapidly at
relatively low cost. This was the basilica as it was generally known. Christianity
spread out rapidly & was an important factor in the development of Early Christian
Architecture & inspired the building of some of the greatest architectural
monuments. Constantine & Licinus issued their celebrated edict of Milan, giving
Christianity equal rights with other religions & Constantine made it the official
religion.
 E. Social & Political Influence

Constantine was the prime character but was not proclaimed Emperor, he removed
his empire from Rome to Byzantium & developed a new style of Architecture.

Many memorial structures were martyria in the strict sense of structures built over
martyr’s tombs. One of the earliest & most important was the Constantinian church
of St. Peter’s in Rome, built over what was believed to be the saint’s tomb.

F. Historical Influence

The final phase of Roman Architecture from 4th to 6th century, primarily in church
building.

II. Architectural Character

 Simplicity in design & treatment

 Coarseness in Execution

 System of Construction
 Trabeated & Arcuated

 Principal Material
 Taken from ruins of Roman buildings

 Principal Structure
 Basilican Church

 Features
 Use of “Campanile” or bell tower in their exterior
 Arch of Triumph gave entrance to sanctuary with the high altar at the corner

 Comparative Analysis
 Plan – followed the plan of Greek & Roman Architecture, elongation gives an
impression of length
 Walls – made of concrete rubble / concrete finished with cluster brick or stone
 Openings – use either semi-circular arches or square-headed
 Roof – developed ribbed vaulting & arcades & timber trussed roof. Types:
o Rafter – used over the nave
o Barrel vault – used over the
aisles
o Dome – used over the apse
 Columns – adapted the Roman columns, had either closely spaced columns
carrying the entablature or more widely spaced column carrying semi-circular
arches known as “archivolt”,
 Mouldings – adapted the Roman mouldings but was crude
 Ornaments – types:
a. Mosaic decoration
b. Illustrated figures of Saints & of Christ

III. Early Christian Structures

  Basilican Churches – In the construction of a basilican church, there is a
rule that it should be built right over the burial place of the Saint to whom the church
was dedicated. And over this burial place, “crypt” or confession was the high altar
covered by a “ciborium” also known as tabernacle or “baldachino”. Modeled from
Roman Halls of Justice & evolved from Roman dwelling houses. Parts:
1. Propylaeum- the entrance building of a sacred precinct, whether church or
imperial palace.
2. Atrium – open rectangular forecourt, surrounded by arcades which formed
as the approach to the church
3. Cantharus – basin with water used for “ablution” form of cleansing.
4. Narthex – covered area between the atrium & the church & which was
assigned to the penitents.
5. Nave & the aisle – the nave is the central aisle extending from the narthex to
the choir or chancel usually lighted by a clear-storey of small windows, with
an aisle on either side usually half the width of the nave.
6. Sanctuary – holy or consecrated place; the most sacred part of the church
preceded by the “arch of triumph” with a high altar in the center standing free
under its baldachino upheld by marble columns
7. Choir – placed in front of the high altar & was enclosed by a low screen walls
known as “cancelli” (hence chancel) & was provided with a pulpit or “ambo”
on either side used for reading the epistle & gospel.
8. Apse/Apsis – semicircular or polygonal space, terminating in an axis &
intended to house an altar, terminal of the church, where “sanctuary” is
located. Orientation is at the west while the entrance at the east.
9. Tribune – throne or seat of the officiating bishop
10. Bemma – raised stage reserved for the clergy
11. Altar – table in a Catholic church upon which the Eucharist, the sacrament
celebrating Christ’s Last supper, is celebrated.
o Ex. Basilica of St. Peter, Rome – built by Constantine, dedicated to the
martyrdom of St. Peter
Church of Nativity, Bethlehem – founded by Constantine, built over the birth
place of Christ
St. Paolo Fouri Le Mura, Rome – largest & most impressive among all
basilican churches
Church of Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem – founded by Constantine, built over
the reputed tomb of Christ

IV. Early Christian Terminologies:

1. Ambulatory – a passageway
around the apse of a church; covered walk of an atrium or cloister.
2. Ambo/Ambon – either of 2
raised stands from which the Gospels or Epistles were read or chanted in an early
Catholic church.
3. Antepodium – a seat behind the
choir reserved for the clergy.
4. Baldachin/Baldachino/Ciborium
– canopy supported by columns, generally placed over an altar or tomb.
5. Baptistery/Baptistry – part of a
church or a separate building in which baptism is administered.
6. Cancelli/Chancel – low screen
wall enclosing the choir in Early Christian churches.
7. Clerestory – an upper stage in
the church with windows above the adjacent roof.
8. Clergy – priest with the other
religious elders.
9. Dais – a raised flatform
reserved for the seating of speakers or dignitaries.
10. Esonarthex – inner narthex
when two are present.
11. Exonarthex – covered walk or
outer narthex situated before an inner narthex.
12. Font – basin, usually of stone,
holding the water used in baptism.
13. Oratory – a small private chapel
furnished with an altar & a crucifix.
14. Reredos – an ornamental
screen or wall at the back of an altar.
15. Transept – the portion of a
church crossing the main axis at the right angle & forming a cruciform plan.
16. Tribune – a slightly elevated
flatform or Dais for the speaker.
17. Triforium – roof over the aisles
below the clerestory.
18. Sacristy/Vestry – room in a
church where the sacred vessels & vestments are kept.
19. Sepulcher – a tomb or a
receptacle for relics especially in a Christian altar.