CORINTHIAN CAPITALS WITH INTERLOCKED HELICES FROM ROMAN PERIOD, JORDAN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This article provides a study of Corinthians capitals with interlocked helices from four main locations: Jordan (Jerash (Gerasa), Petra); Lebanon (Baalbek); Egypt (Alexandria); Italy (Rome); and Libya (Lepcis Magna). A typological study of Corinthian capitals with interlocked helices show two main types, the first, interlocked normal helices, the second, interlocked flowered helices. Those types were used on in general on temples during the Roman period. The study included is descriptions of the capitals, which are then compared with one another. It has been noted that capitals with interlocked helices were rare compared to Corinthian capitals having normal helices, such as those that were generally used during the Roman period.

This would suggest that the scheme was a new one in the East; likewise, that it was introduced from the Western provinces. Interestingly enough, those found in the Eastern provinces are more developed than those found in the Western ones, especially with respect to the first type. Furthermore, we can also say that this architecture developed during the First and Second Centuries, and thus reflect the new architectural elements and decorations such as those that were not used before.This preliminary comparative study serves as an introduction to the study of architectural elements and decorations in Jordan used during the Roman Period.