The Grandiose Narthex                                  -      -      - 
(-------------------------------------------------)     - <---(M)---> E
                                                        -      S      -

The dominating bulk of the narthex are the thick walls that frame its
east and west.  A portion of the west wall spills downward, providing a
slight curve that directs traffic east, into the central narthex.  Although
remarkably hard to see, a small frieze has been carved into the wall.  It is
the apocalyptic vision of the last days of the ancient Laocoon,
conspicuously placed here as an inescapable reminder of the vile creature's
defeat to all that enter.  
A sneaky slave trader is here looking for potential buyers.