- Nancy A. Winter –
Figure 49.2 Velletri, temple at Le Stimmate: reconstruction of the eaves.
Drawing by Renate Sponer Za.Their slightly later date and close connection with temples in Rome that had roofs of the
Veii-Rome-Velletri decorative system suggest that these are later products of the same
workshop, a hypothesis that is supported by petrographic analyses showing that the same
formula for the mixing of clays and inclusions was used in all of these roofs.^44 More roofs
that can be considered products of this same workshop continue to appear, most recently
at Fosso dell’Incastro at Ardea.^45 One or more local workshops in Etruria at Tarquinia,
Rusellae and Vetulonia produced a very similar set of roofs.^46
The second decorative system with clear East Greek overtones originated in a workshop
at Caere that has close ties with artisans producing Caeretan hydriae.^47 Typical are a series
of raking simas decorated in paint only, with no relief, with cavetto profi le or L-shaped;^48
most commonly the main motif on the vertical plaque is a painted meander enclosing
alternating boxes with a bird and a star-fl ower, but fl oral patterns with star-fl owers are
also popular. Figural scenes are rare. Some of these raking simas have S-volute fi nials
at the ends of the slopes, or even fi nials in the form of riding Amazons and warriors
mounted along the top.^49 Below the raking sima on the pedimental slopes were revetment
plaques, which, at least initially, carried fi gured scenes in relief, including chariot races