A dictionary of the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages: including words used by ancient and modern authors in treating of architectural and other antiquities ... also, biographical notices of ancient architects / By John Britton ... Illustrated by numerous engravings by J. Le Keux.

John Britton

Date:: 1838

Credit: A dictionary of the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages: including words used by ancient and modern authors in treating of architectural and other antiquities ... also, biographical notices of ancient architects / By John Britton ... Illustrated by numerous engravings by J. Le Keux. Source: Wellcome Collection.

70/624 (page 30)

$[Rud. p. 167—170] enumerates the principal aqueducts at Rome, and gives their dates, altitude, and extent. The first, or Aqua Appia, was built as early as the year 441 of the Roman city, by Appius Claudius; and the last, or Anio NoviiSy begun by Caligula, was completed by Clau- dius. They were supplied from wells, and accompanied by numerous reservoirs for preserving the water from impuri- ties. Besides the stupendous aqueducts near the capital, the Romans raised others of magnitude in most of their provinces, particularly in Gaul. The most remarkable is that at Nismes, erected by Agrippa, who was governor of a colony there in the time of Augustus. In the Middle Ages, we find that Wibert, prior of Canterbury, who died in 1167, made an aqueduct to, and conveyed water through all the offices of his monastery. AqucEdiictum cum stagnis, et lavatoriis, et piscinis suis; quam aquam fere milliario ab urbe intra curiam, et sic per omnes ipsius curiae officinas, mirabiliter transduxit,’’ &c.—•A7igL Sacr. vol. I. p. 138. Aquemola, or Aquimola. Lat.; aquaria mola, and aqua- moJina, low Lat.; moulin d Feaii, Fr.; mulino ad, acqua. It.; wassermulde, Ger. A water-mill.—Du Cange. Aquila. Lat. A reading-desk; so called from its shape, which is that of an eagle with extended wings, supported by a pedestal.—[Du Ca}igei] There are several remaining in the cathedral and parish-churches of England. Ara. (See Altar.) Arabesque. Arabesques, Fr.; arabesco, It.; arabische zierrath, Ger. A term applied to the ornaments of friezes, pilasters, &c. which are mostly composed of foliage. See. The Arabs and Moors introduced this sort of ornament, because their religion forbade all representations of men and animals.—[Le Yirloys^ Arch. Dict.yoX. i. p. 82.] According to Dr. Clarke \_Travels, vol. V. p. 183], it was brought from Egypt, adopted by the Greeks, and introduced among the Romans in the time of Augustus. Vitruvius calls it audacia ^Egyptorum in pic- tura.^’ (See Grotesque and Moresque.) Arabo-tedesca. It. A term applied to the Moorish style of buildings in Spain and in Sicily.$