The basilica II
The ruins of Basilica II were excavated on the
town’s north-eastern edge, a short distance to the northeast of Basilica I. It
is a three nave basilica with a narthex
and an almost
semicircular conch to the east. The interior of the church
was decorated with marble revetments; the floor of the nave was laid with
marble, while that in the side aisles and narthex was decorated with mosaics.
The basilica also had a four-sided atrium to the west, with three rectangular chambers intended for religious use incorporated in
the north side. Construction work on the church dates to the second quarter of the
sixth century, while the rooms to the north of the church were built shortly
after, in the third quarter.
Glossary (6)
basilica:
type of large church, divided internally into three or more naves. The central nave was usually covered by a raised roof with windows that illuminated the space.
narthex:
oblong reception area
extending
along
the western side
of a basilica. Originally the east portico
of the atrium,
it was later
incorporated into the
church, and served
as a waiting area for catechumens, who were not allowed to
attend the Divine
Liturgy.
conch (Sanctuary niche):
Niche
in the eastern end
of a basilica. Semicircular on the inside, with a horseshoe shaped, rectangular or polygonal exterior.
marble revetment:
facings of colored marble slabs that covered walls from the floor to the starting point of arches.
mosaic:
patterns or
images composed of small, colored tesserae. Mosaic
decoration can
be applied
to all the surfaces
of a building:
floor, walls or ceiling.
atrium:
quadrangular forecourt of basilicas, surrounded by porticos. Porticos had functional purposes: they served as a waiting place before entering the church for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and provided shelter for the congregation. Generally, the atrium isolated the church from the surrounding space. It contained fountains for the symbolic cleansing of the hands and feet and for performing the service of Sanctification.
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Bibliography (1)
1. Ζήκος Ν., Αμφίπολις. Παλαιοχριστιανική και βυζαντινή Αμφίπολις, Athens, 1989
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