PLINTHUS
PLINTHUS (
πλίνθος), a brick or
tile [
LATER], or a squared stone
for building; so of the marble blocks for the walls of the Erechtheum
(
C. I. G. 160, 50.10). The word is especially used by
Vitruvius (also
plinthis) and in modern
architectural works, to denote the square block that sometimes forms the
lower member of the base in the Ionic and Corinthian orders. In the best
known Attic instances of the Ionic order no plinth exists. See SPIRA, COLUMNA.
[
E.A.G]