Tetrapylon

A tetrapylon (Greek: τετράπυλον, "four gates"), plural tetrapyla, known in Latin as a quadrifrons (literally "four fronts") is a type of ancient Roman monument of cubic shape, with a gate on each of the four sides, generally built on a crossroads.

The North Tetrapylon at Jerash in Jordan

Overview

The tetrapylon was a type of monument common in the Classical architecture. The defining quality of this form is the concept of four gates, with four pillars or other supporting structures placed at the corners marking the divisions between them. A tetrapylon could take the form of a single building or multiple, separate structures. They were built as landmarks at significant crossroads or geographical "focal points", as a sub-type of the Roman triumphal arch, or simply as decorative and aesthetically pleasing ornamental architecture. As applied to a triumphal arch (e.g., the Mausoleum of the Julii at Glanum, Arch of Janus, Rutupiae), a tetrapylon was effectively a 'doubling' of the original form; with a total of four major arched openings, one on each side of the structure (one pair of openings opposite each other along one axis, and a second pair of openings of equal or lesser prominence perpendicular to the first pair; hence a structure with two barrel vaulted passageways, in the form of a cross).

Tetrakionion

A tetrakionion (τετρακιόνιον), plural tetrakionia, is a type of tetrapylon in which the central crossing is not roofed, and the four corner-markers exist as four separate structures (i.e.: unconnected overhead).

Notable tetrapyla
Perhaps the most striking construction at Palmyra in Syria, the Tetrapylon marked the second pivot in the route of the colonnaded street. It consisted of a square platform bearing at each corner a tight grouping of four columns. Each of the four groups of pillars supported 150,000kg of solid cornice. It was badly vandalized in 2017.
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  • The Tetrapylon at Anjar in Lebanon
  • Imaginary view of Tetrapylon of Palmyra, Syria, anonymous artist after Louis-François Cassas, ca. 1799.

See also

References
  1. "Southern Tetrapylon". Madain Project. Retrieved 7 April 2020.


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