In the fourth century, when the arts were declining, the Roman style of architecture became debased, and the predominant features consisted of massive square piers or columns, without entablatures, from the imposts of which sprung arches of a semicircular form. It was in rude imitation of this style that the Saxon churches were constructed. The Roman basilicas, or halls of justice, some of which were subsequently converted into churches, furnished the plan for internal arrangement of churches of a large size, divided in the interior by rows or columns. From this division the nave and aisles of a church were derived. The Anglo-Saxon churches, as far as can be ascertained, were of no great dimensions and almost entirely devoid of ornamental moldings. Many of the earlier writers on this subject have, however, caused much confusion by applying the term 'SAXON' to all churches and other edifices contradistinguished from the pointed style by semicircular-headed doorways, windows, and arches. But the vestiges of Anglo-Saxon architecture have been as yet so little studied, in what their peculiarities consist. The style may, however, be said to have approximated in appearance much nearer to the Debased Roman style of masonry than the Norman, and to have been also much ruder. In the most ancient churches, we find arches constructed in Roman fashion.