BSY_FB_17-40

40

In other portions of the church there are
various classic fragments used in
construction and in the vicinity I found a
number of pieces of bases, capitals, and shafts.

Church. The church itself is an excellent
specimen of the style peculiar to the Haurân.
It is impossible to explain the complete
departure of the Christian builders of the
Haurân from the architectural
principles of their pagan predecessors. The
basilical ground plan seems to be the only
feature retained from Roman sources.
Columnar architecture was abjured in toto
and an elaborate arched system
substituted. The arch was of course Roman in
origin but these people employed it
stripped of all its classic features.

The plan of the church here is in all aspects
that of a Roman basilica - a broad central
nave, terminating in a curved apse, and
two side aisles. There is an entrance at the
west end and one in the second bay of the S. aisle.
The church was almost devoid of windows except