A. Terminology and definition
The term basilica goes back to the Greek word βασιλική (basilikḗ), which means ‘majestic, royal, princely, magnificent, grand’ (Lat. regalis). When referring to a building, the adjective must be supplemented by a noun such as στοά (stoá), since basilica in Greek texts was often translated as στοά. In Christian times, the meaning of basilica is identical to church.
Architecturally, a basilica consists of a …