Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Porticus

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

POR'TICUS (στοά). A portico or colonnade, comprising a long narrow walk covered by a roof supported upon columns, which thus afforded the advantage of a free circulation of air, and, at the same time, protection against the heat of the sun and humidity of the atmosphere. Structures of this kind originated with the Greeks, and were extensively adopted by the Romans, being constructed with great magnificence by both these nations; either as adjuncts to their villas and palatial residences, or as public buildings for the convenience and resort of the population, when they became places of general rendezvous, furnished with seats and decorated with objects of art to increase the splendour and attractions of the place (Cic. Att. iv. 16. Id. Dom. 44. Suet. Aug. 29. Id. Cal. 37.). The illustration (Porticus/1.1), from the marble map of Rome, represents the ground-plan of a portion of the magnificent portico of Octavia, built by Augustus, with the temples of Jupiter and Juno within its precincts. The principal entrance, marked by the double row of six columns (on the right hand of the engraving), which support a pediment of marble like the pronaos of a temple, is still in existence, but much embarrassed by subsequent repairs and modern buildings. Colonnades of the same character were also frequently annexed to the side of a cloister (crypta); so that the concourse frequenting them could retire to a more sheltered spot, whenever the excess of heat or cold induced them; of this, an example is exhibited under the word CRYPTA.

2. A covered gallery in an amphitheatre (Calpurn. Ecl. vii. 47.) for the occupation of the poorest classes; situated at the very top of the edifice, and furnished with a row of columns in front to support its roof, as shown by the woodcut at p. 29., which exhibits a restoration of the upper gallery to the amphitheatre at Pola, from the traces it has left, and those of the Coliseum at Rome.

3. A long wooden shed or gallery covered by a roof, but entirely or partially open at the sides, constructed over an agger (Caes. B. C. ii. 2.), as in the annexed example (Porticus/3.1) from the column of Trajan, to protect the men employed upon it; or in general to shelter anything placed under it such as a row of bee-hives, &c., from the cold and rain. Columell. ix. 7. 4.

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  Porticus/1.1
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  Porticus/3.1