The circular work between these arches is carried in a manner which is comparatively easy to imitate now; but the rude and often picturesque results of attempts at imitation in mediæval times, more especially in the South of France, show how difficult the work was found to be at the outset. Earthquake and faults of construction occasioned the rebuilding of the great dome; but it still crowns, after a trial of more than 1,300 years, one of the most beautiful buildings in existence. Then the capitals of the columns, whose general outlines bear few traces of the ancient orders, were often carved each in a different manner, and, though harmonizing with each other in general outline, could bear separate scrutiny, and show each a special motive and design. The carving of these capitals, and of the other beautiful scroll-work and foliage which decorate the walls of St. Sophia, has come down to us through the Normans, and is quite peculiar. It had none of the soft, round forms which the Romans loved, but is cut in a sharp, crisp, and somewhat stiff style, casting distinctly marked and sharp shadows, and the eyes of the foliage and other well-marked parts are emphasized by being deeply drilled in. Many of the Byzantine characteristics had been, to a large extent, foreshadowed in Eastern buildings, even at so early a time as the Assyrian bas-reliefs; but it is to Byzantine architects, under the fostering care of Justinian, that we owe the picturesque changes and details of that style, the Byzantine, which takes its name from his capital and is, to a large extent, identified with himself. All the drawings have been made for this volume by Mr. George Armstrong, formerly on the Survey Party under Captain Conder and Captain Kitchener. (L.) LIST OF PLATES. PAGE MAP ILLUSTRATING PROCOPIUS _Frontispiece_ PLAN OF CONSTANTINOPLE 1 CHURCH OF ST. SOPHIA 5 DETAILS OF CAPITALS, ETC., OF ST. SOPHIA 7 SECTION OF ST. SOPHIA 9 SS. SERGIUS AND BACCHUS, CHURCH OF 19 FORTIFICATIONS AT DARA 42 CASTLE AND COLUMNS OF EDESSA 60 CISTERN OF IMBAHER OR BATHS OF ANTONINUS 132 BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER SANGARIS 133 ES SAKHRA (DOME OF THE ROCK) 139 EL AKSA 140 CHURCH ON MOUNT GERIZIM 144 CHURCH AT BETHLEHEM 148 CHURCH OF MAGNE KAHIREH 160