medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear Rochelle,
Apology accepted. I understand all too well how easy it is to
misinterpret things like this.
Two small points. 1) From my experience as a classicist who's been
reading scholarship in that discipline for years beyond count, it is
quite clear that "basilica" does not always have a Christian import.
The literature on non-Christian basilicas is replete with instances in
point. By way of further clarification, I might add that until recently
this term was often used by classical archeologists for any rectangular
building (other than square) with a single projecting apse, even if the
structure's purpose were unknown and its context did not suggest an
administrative function.
2) A problem with the "shoulder" metaphor is that it is used in
different ways. For example, when John Briggs lookd at the outline and
suggested "shouldered round", I believe he meant "shouldered" to refer
to the (straight) lines running off in either direction from the curved
element. But you seem to be using "round-shouldered" to describe the
curved element itself. My personal preference is for Marjorie's
suggestion, "tri-lobed", even if the three lobes in question aren't
neatly divided one from another. There are similar forms in nature: in
the case of trilobites, the three lobes are distinct -- but possibly
there's an analogous use in botany that doesn't require such visual
separation. I would say "tri-lobed, central part/lobe projecting".
Best again,
John Dillon
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