PORTA APPIA
the modern Porta S. Sebastiano (Ill. 39), a gate in the
Aurelian wall through which the
VIA APPIA (q.v.) passed (DMH). All the
gates in this wall were named from the roads which passed through
them with the possible exception of the
PORTA METROVIA (q.v.). Its
name is still given correctly in the twelfth century by Magister Gregorius
(JRS 919, 21, 46).
It is mentioned frequently during the Middle Ages under several
variant names, corruptions of Appia (T ix. 32.35). The existing structure
dates for the most part from the rebuilding of Honorius, with various
later additions (Jord. i. I. 366;
LS ii. 59 ; Reber 538). The lowest part
consists of an arch, flanked by square towers, faced with marble blocks
that were evidently taken from other buildings, perhaps in part from
the neighbouring temple of MARS (q.v.). Both the porta Appia and the
porta Flaminia originally had double arches of blocks of travertine,
divided by a central pier (as in the porta Portuensis), traces of which may
be seen on the right going out), and semi-circular brick towers (ZA 317;
Town Planning Review xi.
(1924), 76-79; Richmond in Discovery vi.
(1925), 293-295). Almost semicircular towers succeeded these: then
came the rectangular bastions faced with white marble blocks (with
circular bosses upon them, the object of which is uncertain
1) which were
probably added by Honorius, and the tombs of the via Appia were,
no doubt, pillaged, just as were those of the via Flaminia. There
is a simple cornice around the whole structure, and on the keystone
of the arch is cut the monogram of Christ and three inscriptions in
Greek--
Θεοῦ χάρις, ἅγιε Γεωργί. Above this marble structure
is another of brick and tufa faced concrete which continues the square
towers below, and which, like the lower part, has been rebuilt or refaced
at least once. The curtain over the arch is pierced with two rows of
seven small arches each, now walled up, that open into chambers within.
Above the top of this part, again, the towers rise in almost circular form
to a height of two stories, with rows of five windows in each story. The
height of the towers is about 28 metres, and they, as well as the central
portion, are surmounted with crenellated battlements (ZA 316-319;
cf. Ephemeris Dacico-Romana, i.
(1923) 3, 4). In one of the later restorations the
ARCO DI DRUSO (q.v.) was made to serve as the entrance to a
vantage court. See also
BC 1927, 59-63.
