Celsusbibliothek: Segmentgiebel

Eight columns each on the bottom and upper floor dominated the richly decorated library façade. Two columns, together with a cantilevered entablature, formed a so-called aedicula. On the upper floor, the aediculae were moved by one column axis in reference to the bottom floor, leading to a single column on each side of the façade with three aediculae in between. The entablature shown here features a flower tendril with Medusa’s head in its centre. This was believed to protect the library against all evil.