Roman Basilica Floor Plan
This hierarchy of size and proportion extended to the major units of the plan the bays.
Roman basilica floor plan. A bay is the square unit in the. In ancient roman architecture a basilica is a large public building with multiple functions typically built alongside the town s forum the basilica was in the latin west equivalent to a stoa in the greek east. The apse in the roman basilica frequently contained an image of the emperor and was where the magistrate dispensed laws. Unlike in a roman basilica the side aisles run behind a series of arches rather than columns.
Most basilicas have flat ceilings. The vaults of the south and central nave collapsed in an earthquake in 847 ce. In very extensive buildings there may be two side aisles with the ceiling of the outer one lower than the one next to the nave. The basilica of maxentius and constantine is atypical due to its similarities with the architecture of roman baths.
In the early christian basilica the apses contained the cathedra or throne of the bishop and the altar. However the floor plan remains clearly visible giving a vivid impression of its immense grandeur. 9 nave elevation term which refers to the division of the nave wall into various levels. It gradually passed out of use in the eastern church however eclipsed by the radial plan on which the emperor justinian i constructed the domed cathedral of hagia sophia at constantinople.
A narthex q v or entrance vestibule at the west end which was reserved for penitents. One or two side aisles flanking the nave and separated from it by a row of regularly spaced columns. The building gave its name to the architectural form of the basilica.