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CHAPTER XI.

OF THE PALESTRA.

Though not used by the people of Italy, it seems properthat I should explain the form of the palaestra, anddescribe the mode in which it was constructed by theGreeks. The square or oblong peristylia of palaestrae,have a walk round them which the Greeks call SiavX o?,two stadia in circuit: three of the sides are single por-ticos : the fourth, which is that on the south side, is tobe double, so that when showers fall in windy weather,the drops may not drive into the inner part of it. In thethree porticos are large recesses (exedrae) with seatstherein, whereon the philosophers, rhetoricians, andothers who delight in study, may sit and dispute. In thedouble portico the following provision is to be made:the epheheum is to be in the middle, which is in truthnothing more than a large exedra with seats, and longerby one-third than its width, on the right is the coriceum,immediately adjoining which is the conisterium, nearwhich, in the angle of the portico, is the cold bath,which the Greeks call Xovrpov. On the left of the ephe-beum is the elseothesium, adjoining that is the frigida-rium, whence a passage leads to the propigneum in theangle of the portico. Near, but more inward, on theside of the frigidarium, is placed the vaulted sudatory,whose length is double its width ; on one side of this isthe laconicum, constructed as before described : on theother side is the hot bath. The peristylia of the palaestraare to be carefully set out as above mentioned. Ex-’teriorly three porticos are constructed, one throughwhich those who come out of the palaestra pass; andstadial ones on the right and left, of which, that to-wards the north is double, and of considerable width.The other is single, and so formed that as well on