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constantine. I. The Life of Constantine. II. The Oration of Constantine. III. The Oration of Eusebius · The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, by Eusebius Pamphilus · Chapter XXXVIII

Description of the Hemisphere, the Twelve Columns, and their Bowls

Page 517 of 692

Opposite these gates the crowning part of the whole was the hemisphere,3270 which rose to the very summit of the church. This was encircled by twelve columns (according to the number of the apostles of our Saviour), having their capitals embellished with silver bowls of great size, which the emperor himself presented as a splendid offering to his God.

Notes

  1. 3270

    [Apparently the altar, which was of a hemispherical, or rather hemicylindrical form—Bag.] Also a much-discussed question. Compare Heinichen, vol. 3, p. 521-522.

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Volume 1, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (1890–1900). Public domain. Text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.