ornaments of the architrave are of tlie Corintliian order ; its columns are chamfreted ; and
its bafe, chapiters, archivault and bafs-reliefs, are wonderfully elegant for tlie fuppofed
time in which it was ereéted. It is a moft magnificent edifice, adorned on all fides with
trophies and battles, in baíTo-relievo, but without any infcription whatever to denote tlie
precife lime of its ereâion ; it is however fuppofed to have been built in honour of Caius
Marius and Ludlatius Cutulus, after the gi-eat viâory they obtained over tlie CimbrI and
Teutones. The only doubt that can be alledged againft the probability of this fuppofition
is that the arts were certainly at that epoch very inferior to what appears from the high
execution of this noble fragment, which is doubtlefs a moft admirable piece of architedhiic.
The Author having flightly mentioned his doubts refpedling the time of its credlionj
he will now proceed to give an exad defcription of tlie monument in its prefent fiate.
The northern façade, which is reprefented in the annexed plate, is in much higher
prefervation than the reft of the building. Over the fmall arches are trophies of war of
exquifite tafte, reprefenting arms and Roman enfigns, with different crefts, fuch as dragons,
boars' heads, &c. grouped with ihields of various ihapes, on which are engraved
the initials of feveral Roman names.
The frize is ornamented with bafs-relieft, reprefenting ihips, mafts, and warriors.
Above the entablature, and on the pannel of the grand and central arch, is another baisrelief
exhibiting a combat of cavalry, which, although greatly injured by the dreadful
hand of time, ftill retains many beautiful parts.
On the pannds which are over the finall arches, and fcarcely difcernible, is a man and
horfe on one, and a bafs-relief on the other, reprefenting the different inftruments made
ufe of in thofe days at iacrifices, &c.
The fouthem ûde is nearly fimilar to the northern, but the ornaments are almoft
effaced. The eaftem ftill retains a number of figures in bafs-relief, which appear to be
captives, by their being placed two and two with their hands tied behind them, and
adorned with military trophies.
The frize is decorated with fighting gladiators and foldiers. Above the cornice, in a
large pannel, is a buft furrounded by a radio or glory, fupported by cornucopias; the
whole forming a complete fpecimen of architetfture, and nearly as entire as the arch of
Septimus Severas at Rome.
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