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The civil architecture of Vitruvius : comprising those books of the author which relate to the public and private edifices of the ancients : with an introduction, containing an historical view of the rise and progress of architecture amongst the Greeks / transl. by William Wilkins
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faces the north is double, and of ample width. The others aresingle, and have margins, like foot-ways, ten feet in breadth,next the walls and the columns: the intermediate spacebetween the margins is excavated and levelled, and a descentis made to it from the margins by two steps a foot and ahalf each : the area alone is not less than twelve feet wide.On this account those who are taking exercise in themargins meet with no interruption from those engaged ingymnastic sports within the area. A portico of this kindis called by the Greeks xystos, because the athletae practiseduring the winter in stadia protected from the weather.The xysta are placed so far apart, that the intermediate spacebetween the porticoes may admit of plantations and walksamongst the trees, with seats here and there formed ofcement. Next the xysta and the double portico, hypaethralwalks are made, which the Greeks call peridromides, althoughwith us these are termed xysta. In temperate weatherduring the winter the athletae leave the xysta and exercisein these walks. Behind the xystum is the stadium, soformed as to contain, without inconvenience, the multitudewho resort there to witness the athletic exercises. Thisconcludes the description of every public building which isrequired to be situated within the boundary of the city.