Show main dome distinctive feature of st at at sophia Constantin oples marvelous mosque when it was erected by emperor justinian as a christian cathedral was made in the form of an immense greek cross the architect supported this th structure with a hundred columns and the brick which formed the main building material was covered with rare marbles jai jab pers and porphyries ries of a dozen varieties and colors drawn from rles in various parts of the empire or from the ruins of demolished heathen temples but the distinctive architectural feature of the building was the main dome probably the first great aerial cupola ei erected within 20 years an eart earthquake h i u ai e destroyed a part of this inverted cup but justinian immediately restored resto restored it and it remains intact until now rising feet above the earth gibbon commenting on its lightness and durability says that the frame rame probably Is made of pumice stone or of light brick from the isle of rh rhodes odes the cathedral adornments and particularly ticul arly the mosaics mosaic of t the h a fl floors an and walls wall were considered marvels of art and beauty the dome presented a starry armament and the walls walli were enriched with figures figurea of christ thi the virgin the saints and the angels and of constantine Constant lne and justinian |