Basilica
A basilica is either an ancient Roman public hall type or a Christian church given that architectural form or an honorary ecclesiastical title.
Nave: The central longitudinal space of a church, usually extending from the entrance toward the sanctuary. In a basilica, the nave forms the broad central hall, often higher than the side aisles.
Roman basilica: A rectangular public hall in ancient Rome used for activities such as law, commerce, and civic business. This Roman building type supplied the spatial model later adopted for Christian worship.
Major basilica: One of four churches in Rome holding the highest rank in the Roman Catholic basilica classification. The title includes Saint Peter’s, Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
Roman temple: A sanctuary building in ancient Rome dedicated to one or more deities. Unlike a basilica, a Roman temple centered on cult and sacrifice rather than civic assembly.
Apse: A semicircular or polygonal recess, commonly placed at the end of a building or church. Basilicas commonly place the principal altar or judicial seat within an apse.
Basilica Porcia: An early Roman basilica built in 184 BCE by Cato the Elder in the Forum Romanum. Its construction marks the early development of the civic building type.
Minor basilica: A church granted the title of basilica by the pope or through established ecclesiastical authority. This honorary designation applies beyond the four major basilicas in Rome.
Central-plan church: A church organized around a central geometric space rather than a dominant longitudinal axis. Its balanced central arrangement differs from the basilica’s long nave.
Aisle: A passage running alongside the nave or between rows of seats or columns. Longitudinal aisles flank the nave in the classic basilican arrangement.
Basilica Julia: A Roman public hall in the Forum Romanum, begun by Julius Caesar and completed under Augustus. Its monumental forum setting exemplifies the civic role of Roman basilicas.