TiRYNS. 281 portion above the stone pHnth, were wainscoted with wood. Was this a mere backing for metal plates ? We reserve our answer for a future chapter. The second vestibule has two entrances. The one on the left opens into the bath-room, of which more anon ; the other stands in the axis of the building, and bears no trace of closing doors ; a curtain fastened to the Hntel could be drawn aside when required. The door gave access to the great hall or megaron, in length eleven metres eighty centimetres by nine metres eighty centimetres in width, covering a surface of 115 square metres; Fin, S4. — Western anta of vestibule of the Taegai that is to say, it exceeds that of most Grecian celiac, not except- ing that of the temple of Theseus at Athens, which barely reaches seventy-five square metres. The roof of this vast apartment was supported by four columns ; whereon, too, rested the massive beams intended to carry the joists of the covering. The bases of these columns, with a diameter of sixty-eight centimetres, are still preserved ; that of the shaft, sixty-six centimetres, is obtained from the circle it has left on the upper face of the stone. Within the circle the surface is in pretty good condition ; but the sur- rounding edge shows marks of fire and of the weather. " It is clear, then, that the pillars were of wood, and their dimensions smaller than those of the bases."' In the middle of the room » Tiryns. . . .... :•,;:
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