Roman cities in Italy and Dalmatia . he imperialremains of the second and early part of the thirdcentury, only the mutilated and transformedshell remains. The emperors buried not in fam-ily memorials but in special sepulchers have faredeven worse. We must pass to the times immedi-ately following Diocletian to find single quasi-imperial tombs in any preservation; of these thetomb of Helena, mother of Constantine, nearRome, has lost everything but part of its barebrickwork, and those of her granddaughter Con-stantia and of Romulus Augustulus have beentransformed. This mausoleum of Diocletian sta
Roman cities in Italy and Dalmatia . he imperialremains of the second and early part of the thirdcentury, only the mutilated and transformedshell remains. The emperors buried not in fam-ily memorials but in special sepulchers have faredeven worse. We must pass to the times immedi-ately following Diocletian to find single quasi-imperial tombs in any preservation; of these thetomb of Helena, mother of Constantine, nearRome, has lost everything but part of its barebrickwork, and those of her granddaughter Con-stantia and of Romulus Augustulus have beentransformed. This mausoleum of Diocletian stands pre-eminent in preserving not only its entire struc-ture but practically all of its decoration. Hardlyany ancient monument of any class is so as a type it is extremely valuable. It is theheir of the early circular tombs of Asia INIinorand Etruria and the progenitor of the Christianbaptistery. The structure of its dome, with fan-shaped interdependent internal arches in themasonry, is perhaps unique, and much discussed. Spalato, view from Court toward Mausoleum(from old print in Cassas) Plate Lvix ROMAN CITIES 319 by architects. The entire design, with its perip-teral portico, its central dome and its interiororder with free-standing shafts and figuredfrieze, may be taken as typical of a late imperialtomb. The thorough restoration which has been car-ried on for so many years has had its disadvan-tages. A large portion of the internal detailshas been thrown away or transferred to themuseum because they were regarded as too in-jured to be retained in the structure. The white-ness of the material of the new parts preventsany delusion; and, in a way the workmanship ofthe capitals and other details can be better seenin the museum. But, as a matter of fact, we donot care to see them in this way. They were in-tended for effective display in the semi-darknessof the dome at a considerable height, and wereadmirable for their purpose. Close study is acruel injustice. We cann
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectarchitectureroman
