"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures." — Anthon, 1891

Altars

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures."…

"The threshold was, with the ancients, an object of superstitious reverence, and it was thought unfortunate to tread on it with the left foot. On this account, the steps leading into a temple were of an uneven number, because the worshipper, after placing his right foot on the bottom step, would then place the same foot on the threshold also." — Anthon, 1891

Threshold

"The threshold was, with the ancients, an object of superstitious reverence, and it was thought unfortunate…

"An outer garment, strictly worn by females, and thus corresponding to the himation or pallium, the outer garment worn by men. Like all other pieces of cloth used for the Amictus, it was often fastened by means of a brooch. It was, however, frequently worn without a brooch, in the manner represented in the annexed cut. Each of the females in this group wears a tunic falling down to her feet, and over it an ample pepius, which she passes entirely round her body and then throws the loose extremity of it over her left shoulder and behind her back, as is distinctly seen in the sitting figure. Of all the productions of the loom, pepli were those on which the greatest skill and labour were bestowed. so various and tasteful were the subjects which they represented, that poets delighted to describe them. The art of weaving them was entirely oriental; and those of the most splendid dyes and curious workmanship were imported from Tyre and Sidon. They often constituted a very important part of the treasures of a temple, having been presented to the divinity by sppliants and devotees." — Smith, 1873

Peplum

"An outer garment, strictly worn by females, and thus corresponding to the himation or pallium, the…

"Spira, the base of a column. in the Tuscan and the Roman Doric the base consisted of a single torus, sometimes surmounted by an astragal. In the Ionic and Attic it commonly consisted of two tori, divided by a scotia, and in the Corinthian of two tori divided by two scotiae. The upper torus was often fluted, and surmounted by an astragal, as in the left-hand figure of the following wood-cut, which shows the form of the base in the Ionic or Attic temple of Panops on the Ilissus. The right-hand figure in the same wood-cut shows the corresponding part in the temple of Minerva Polias at Athens. In this the upper torus is wrought with a platted ornament, perhaps designed to represent a robe or cable." — Smith, 1873

Spira

"Spira, the base of a column. in the Tuscan and the Roman Doric the base consisted of a single torus,…

"Triumphus, a solemn procession, in which a victorious general entered the city in a chariot drawn by four horses. He was preceded by the captives and spoils taken in war, was followed by his troops, and after passing in state along the Via Sacra, ascended the capitol to offer sacrifice in the temple of Jupiter." &mdash Smith; 1873

Triumphus

"Triumphus, a solemn procession, in which a victorious general entered the city in a chariot drawn by…

"According to the ancient authorities, it was made of bronze, and its form was oval, but with the two sides receding inward with an even curvature, and so as to make it broader at the ends than in the middle. The original ancile was said to have fallen from the skies in the time of Numa. To secure its preservation, Numa ordered eleven other shields to be made exactly like it. These twelve <em>ancilia</em> were kept in the temple of Mars Gradivus, and were taken from it only once a year, on the kalends of March. The feast of the god was then observed during several days; when the Salii, or priests of Mars, twelve in number, carried the sacred shields about the city, singing songs in praise of Mars, Numa, and Mamurius Veturius, who made the eleven. They at the same time performed a dance, in which they struck the shield with rods, so as to keep time with their voices and with the movements of the dance." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Ancilia

"According to the ancient authorities, it was made of bronze, and its form was oval, but with the two…

"Trutina, a general term, including both libra, a balance, and statera, a steelyard. Payments were originally made by weighing, not by counting. Hence a balance was preserved n the temple of Saturn at Rome. The following wood-cut represents a remarkably beautiful statera, which is preserved in the museum of the Capitol at Rome. " &mdash Smith; 1873

Trutina

"Trutina, a general term, including both libra, a balance, and statera, a steelyard. Payments were originally…

"Figure of a fallen warrior, represented among the sculptures now at Munich, belonging to the temple in Aegina. In consequence of the bending of the knees, the greaves are seen to project a little above them. The statue also shows very distinctly the ankle-rings." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Fallen soldier

"Figure of a fallen warrior, represented among the sculptures now at Munich, belonging to the temple…

"Vestaes, the virgin priestesses of Vesta, who ministered in her temple and watched the eternal fire. Their existence at Alba Longa is connected with the earliest Roman traditions, for silva the mother of Romulus was a member of the sisterhood; their establishment in the city, in common with almost all other matters connected with state religion, is generally ascribed to Numa, who selected four, two from the Titienses and two from the Rames; and two more were subsequently added from the Luceres, by Tarquinius Priscus according to one authority, by Servius Tullius according to another. This number of six remained unchanged to the latest times." &mdash Smith; 1873

Vestales

"Vestaes, the virgin priestesses of Vesta, who ministered in her temple and watched the eternal fire.…

"Ancient Persia was among the great empires that figure in the early history of mankind. Little of their history is known till the conqueror Cyrus ascended the throne, about the year, about 559 B.C." &mdash; Goodrich, 1844

Ancient Persia

"Ancient Persia was among the great empires that figure in the early history of mankind. Little of their…

"Temple in Palmyra." &mdash; Goodrich, 1844

Temple in Palmyra

"Temple in Palmyra." — Goodrich, 1844

Temple of Mecca.

Temple of Mecca

Temple of Mecca.

"When Phryxsus arrived in Colchis, he sacrificed his winger ram to Jupiter, in acknowledgement of the divine protection, and deposited its golden fleece in the same diety's temple."

Phryxsus and ram

"When Phryxsus arrived in Colchis, he sacrificed his winger ram to Jupiter, in acknowledgement of the…

"Temple at Jerusalem" — Morey, 1903

Temple Jerusalem

"Temple at Jerusalem" — Morey, 1903

"West Front of Temple at Aegina" &mdash; Morey, 1903

Temple Aegina

"West Front of Temple at Aegina" — Morey, 1903

"After his return Triptolemus built a magnificent temple to Ceres in Eleusis and established the worship of the goddess, under the name of the Eleusinian mysteries, which, in the splendor and solemnity of their observance, surpassed all other religious celebrations among the Greeks." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Triptolemus

"After his return Triptolemus built a magnificent temple to Ceres in Eleusis and established the worship…

"When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her place, and Iphigenia, enveloped in a cloud, was carried to Tauris, where Diana made her a priestess of her temple." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Sacrifice of Iphigenia

"When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her…

"In Greek legend, a priest of Apollo and Neptune, located in the city of Troy during the Trojan War. It is asserted that while he and his two sons were in the temple performing the sacrifice, two enormous serpents arose out of the sea and proceeded directly to the altar. The serpents entwined themselves about the helpless youths and their father, and all were destroyed in the presence of the Trojan multitude." &mdash; Holst, 1909

Laocoon

"In Greek legend, a priest of Apollo and Neptune, located in the city of Troy during the Trojan War.…

Exterior of the Pylon of the Temple of Edfu.

Pylon of the Temple of Edfu

Exterior of the Pylon of the Temple of Edfu.

"Rock-cut temple at Ipsambul, on the Nile." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Egyptian temple

"Rock-cut temple at Ipsambul, on the Nile." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Gopura, or gate pyramid to a Hindu temple." —D'Anvers, 1895

Gate pyramid

"Gopura, or gate pyramid to a Hindu temple." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Pillar in Hindu temple." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Pillar

"Pillar in Hindu temple." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Japanese pagodas are similar to those of China, and even more elaborately carved." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Pagoda

"Japanese pagodas are similar to those of China, and even more elaborately carved." —D'Anvers,…

"Doric Order. From the Temple at Selinus." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Doric Order

"Doric Order. From the Temple at Selinus." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Ionic order. From the Temple of Athene (Minerva) at Priene." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Ionic order

"Ionic order. From the Temple of Athene (Minerva) at Priene." —D'Anvers, 1895

"The Temple of Theseus at Athens." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Temple of Theseus

"The Temple of Theseus at Athens." —D'Anvers, 1895

"The finest monument of this time is the Pantheon of Rome, first built about B.C. 27, which is one of the grandest buildings of the ancient world. Whether it was erected as a Temple or as a Hall attached to the Thermae of Agrippa is a moot point. It is even now in a sufficient good state of preservation for us to be able to judge of what it was." —D'Anvers, 1895

Pantheon

"The finest monument of this time is the Pantheon of Rome, first built about B.C. 27, which is one of…

"The western pediment of the Temple of Aegina." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Temple of Aegina

"The western pediment of the Temple of Aegina." —D'Anvers, 1895

Sleep temples are regarded by some as an early instance of hypnosis over 4000 years ago, under the influence of Imhotep.

Egyptian Temple

Sleep temples are regarded by some as an early instance of hypnosis over 4000 years ago, under the influence…

An ancient Greek temple devoted to the god Neptune.

Temple of Neptune

An ancient Greek temple devoted to the god Neptune.

This is an illustration of the Amphitheater of Pola. It is 450 feet long and 360 broad. A temple and several ancient gates are also extant.

Pola Amphitheater

This is an illustration of the Amphitheater of Pola. It is 450 feet long and 360 broad. A temple and…

This illustration shows the temple at Jerusalem restored.

Jerusalem Temple

This illustration shows the temple at Jerusalem restored.

The frame-work of Corinthian style of the Temple of Jupiter at Rome.

Corinthian Frame

The frame-work of Corinthian style of the Temple of Jupiter at Rome.

This illustration shows a round temple at Tivoli.

Tivoli

This illustration shows a round temple at Tivoli.

The framework in Ionic style of the Temple of Fortuna Virilis at Rome.

Ionic Frame

The framework in Ionic style of the Temple of Fortuna Virilis at Rome.

The temple of Jupiter Capitolinus at Rome.

Temple of Jupiter

The temple of Jupiter Capitolinus at Rome.

Restored Temple, from the Egyptian Commission.

Temple

Restored Temple, from the Egyptian Commission.

The temple of heaven, Peking.

Temple

The temple of heaven, Peking.

A religious temple in Cevlon.

Temple

A religious temple in Cevlon.

The Grand Mosque in the city of Delhi.

Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque in the city of Delhi.

Temple of Cusco during the conquest of Peru.

Temple of Cusco

Temple of Cusco during the conquest of Peru.

Temple of Cusco during the conquest of Peru.

Temple of Cusco

Temple of Cusco during the conquest of Peru.

A ruined temple in Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico.

Uxmal Temple

A ruined temple in Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico.

Sculpture from the Temple of the Cross at Palenque.

Palenque Sculptures

Sculpture from the Temple of the Cross at Palenque.

Sculpture from the Temple of the Cross at Palenque.

Palenque Sculptures

Sculpture from the Temple of the Cross at Palenque.

A Mexican temple.

Temple

A Mexican temple.

The Temple of Mexico.

Temple of Mexico

The Temple of Mexico.

Ancient temple, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Teocalli

Ancient temple, Oaxaca, Mexico.

The front elevation of the Temple of Aegina, restored.

Temple of Aegina

The front elevation of the Temple of Aegina, restored.

An aeriel view of the temple at Tiravalur, which measures 945 by 700 feet.

Temple, Tiravalur

An aeriel view of the temple at Tiravalur, which measures 945 by 700 feet.

"The great pagoda at Tanjore is by far the grandest temple in India, resting on a base 83 feet suare, rises in fourteen stories to a height of nearly 200 feet." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Temple, Tanjore

"The great pagoda at Tanjore is by far the grandest temple in India, resting on a base 83 feet suare,…

"A temple built about 1000 A.D. It is unique because of its Gothic gablets and trefoil arches." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Temple, Pandrethan

"A temple built about 1000 A.D. It is unique because of its Gothic gablets and trefoil arches." —…

"The pagoda forms a very prominent feature in the architecture of Further India. A specimen of the Burmese style of temples is presented in the Shoemadoo." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Pagoda, Shoemadoo

"The pagoda forms a very prominent feature in the architecture of Further India. A specimen of the Burmese…

"The front elevation of a Greek Doric Hexastyle-peripteral Temple." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Doric Temple

"The front elevation of a Greek Doric Hexastyle-peripteral Temple." — Encyclopedia Britanica,…

"Sectional Elevation of the Pronaos of a Hexastyle-peripteral Temple." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Pronaos

"Sectional Elevation of the Pronaos of a Hexastyle-peripteral Temple." — Encyclopedia Britanica,…

"Coryatic Portico of Temple in Acropolic, Athens." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Coryatic Portico

"Coryatic Portico of Temple in Acropolic, Athens." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Temple of Heaven, Peking." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Heaven Temple

"Temple of Heaven, Peking." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Temple of Agriculture, Peking." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Agriculture Temple

"Temple of Agriculture, Peking." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Section of the Basilica of Constantine or Maxentius (Temple of Peace)." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Basilica

"Section of the Basilica of Constantine or Maxentius (Temple of Peace)." — Encyclopedia Britanica,…

A monumental gateway, usually between two towers in outline like truncated pyramids.

Propylon

A monumental gateway, usually between two towers in outline like truncated pyramids.