Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/348

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3i8 A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud.-i . At that time, however, the north side was probably still open; since he is stated to have raised there a strong bulwark and fortified it with towers or dungeons; the word beth " house," being susceptible of either reading. 1 The methods employed by the masons of David are not known ; but the extensive works of the following reign on Mount Moriah must have trained a whole class of native artisans whose work was dis- tinguished by some of the qualities of their Punic teachers. To have used colossal stones would have protracted too long the completion of the wall ; whilst bevelling and chiselling would have been misplaced in such a place and for such a purpose ; but we may take it for granted that they were prepared all over and set in hori- zontal courses. We incline to regard the supporting wall, which runs from the south- east angle of the haram and follows the declivity of Ophel, as type of the rampart at Millo. 2 As to the quadrangular towers flanking it, they be- tray different handling at various times ; thus, blocks of great finish and beauty of joint, with or without rustication, are met side by 1 Reuss, note upon fudges ix. 6. Stade, Geschickte, pp. 195, 343- 2 Palestine Exploration fund, Plate XL. ; The Recovery, pp. 287, 298. Fig. 212.— Throne of Ramses.