basilicas (works by form)

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Scope note
Refers to religious or secular buildings characterized by an oblong plan divided into a nave with two or more side aisles, the former higher and wider than the latter and generally lit by clerestory windows; usually terminated by an apse. In Roman and Early Christian basilicas, the ground plan typically was a parallelogram in which the width was not greater than one-half of the length and not less than one-third of it. When there was more space in the length, porticoes were built on the short sides. The middle space was separated by columns from a lower ambulatory or portico; the width of the ambulatory equaled the height of the columns and measured one-third of the width of the central space. Vaulting could be used in the side aisles, but a flat roof was used for the very broad middle nave. Eventually basilicas were built with 5 and 7 aisles; a transept was often placed between the nave and the apse. The roofing of the transept together with the apse and portico produced variety in the exterior of basilicas.
basilicas
Accepted term: 03-Feb-2025