Sima (architecture)

As Sima ( feminine, from the Greek σιμός Simos " bent up " ) refers to the existing of baked clay or marble roof edge in the Greek and Roman architecture. The Sima sits above the cornices. Often S-shaped curved, but they could be profiled very different. Depending on the used material she wears ornate decor in the form of painting or relief: climbing vines, Anthemien and geometric ornaments with meanders, running dog or braid, which were especially popular in the Archaic period. The Sima of the archaic temple of Artemis of Ephesus was a warrior Fries with horses and chariots. Especially in the classical period and the Hellenistic climbing vines were popular.

The Giebelsima, ie the Sima at the gable ends, consists of a highly curved, closed edge to prevent lateral falling rainwater. On the other hand, Traufsima the rainwater is drained from the roof. While the water is often initially fell down in full width gutter edge, it has been taken since the 6th century usually in a gutter and discharged through uniformly distributed gargoyles. First designed in the form of simple tubes, this v. since the 5th century AD usually have the shape of lion heads. The gargoyles were mostly in vertical relation to other components, so could correspond, for example, with the volutes of the Ionic capitals.