The Marble Decoration of the Presbytery of the Late Antique Basilica in Jiyeh (Porphyreon) - Lebanon

Abstract

hes isa poorly researched subject. Thesource material gathered during the Polish-Lebanese excavations in Jiyeh allows for enriching the knowledge of this kind of decoration. Main aim of this article is a reconstruction of the layout of panels applied in the presbytery of the basilica in Jiyeh. The archaeological source base for this study includes fragments of marble panels, copper-alloy clasps, and holes in the walls. Reconstructed decoration was based mostly on vertically arranged rectangular panels of various size, made of white and grey marble. Additionally, similar decorations from other Christian basilicas of the eastern Mediterranean are cited. The literary sources indicate that marble wall revetments were founded both by emperors and private individuals. Decoration of this kind usually appears in the churches of the great urban centres. It is less frequent in rural areas, undoubtedly as a result of a different material status of the local donors.