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賮賷鬲乇賵賮賷賵爻貙 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱毓卮乇丞 賮賷 丕賱毓賲丕乇丞
賴賷賲賳鬲 賰鬲亘 賮賷鬲乇賵賮賷賵爻 丕賱毓卮乇丞 賲賳匕 丕賱賯乇賳 丕賱兀賵賱 賯亘賱 丕賱賲賷賱丕丿貙 丨鬲賶 毓氐乇 丕賱賳賴囟丞 賵亘乇賵夭 賱賷賵賳 亘丕鬲賷爻鬲丕 兀賱亘乇鬲賷 (1407 賭 1472). 賵賴匕丕 丕賱丕賴鬲賲丕賲 丕賱賲爻鬲賲乇 亘賮賷鬲乇賵賮賷賵爻貙 賵亘賰鬲亘賴 丕賱毓卮乇丞貙 廿賳賲丕 賷丿賮毓 亘賯賵丞 廿賱賶 卮賰乇 丕賱夭賲賱丕亍 丕賱孬賱丕孬丞 毓賱賶 賳賯賱賴賲 賰鬲亘 賮賷鬲乇賵賮賷賵爻 丕賱毓卮乇丞 廿賱賶 丕賱賱睾丞 丕賱毓乇亘賷丞貙 賵噩毓賱賴丕 賮賷 賲鬲賳丕賵賱 賰賱 丕賱賲毓賳賷賷賳 亘賲爻兀賱丞 丕賱毓賲丕乇丞 賮賷 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱毓乇亘賷. 賴匕丕 毓賱賶 丨丿 賯賵賱 丕賱丿賰鬲賵乇 乇賴賷賮 賮賷丕囟 丕賱匕賷 賵囟毓 賲賯丿賲丞 賱賱賰鬲丕亘. 賵丕賱丿賰鬲賵乇 賮賷丕囟 賲毓賲丕乇賷 賵兀爻鬲丕匕 噩丕賲毓賷 亘丕乇夭 毓賱賶 賲爻鬲賵賶 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱毓乇亘賷 賰賱賴貙 賵賷毓鬲丿 亘乇兀賷賴 賮賷 賲噩丕賱 丕賱毓賲丕乇丞貙 亘賱 賵賮賷 丕賱兀丿亘 丕賱匕賷 賷鬲賳丕賵賱 丕賱毓賲丕乇丞貙 賮丕賱賰鬲丕亘丞 兀賷囟丕賸 賴賷 賳賵毓 賲賳 丕賱毓賲丕乇丞.
丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱毓卮乇丞 丨賲賱鬲 毓賳丕賵賷賳 (丕賱毓賲丕乇丞 賵丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷 賭 賲賵丕丿 丕賱亘賳丕亍 賭 賳馗丕賲 丕賱賲毓丕亘丿 丕賱兀賷賵賳賷 賭 丕賱賲毓丕亘丿 丕賱丿賵乇賷丞 賵丕賱賰賵乇賷賳孬賷丞 賭 丕賱賲亘丕賳賷 丕賱毓丕賲丞 賭 丕賱賲賳丕夭賱 丕賱禺丕氐丞 賭 丕賱廿賰爻丕亍丕鬲 賵丕賱兀賱賵丕賳 賭 丕賱賲賷丕賴 賭 丕賱爻丕毓丕鬲 賵賲亘丕丿卅賴丕 賭 丕賱丌賱丕鬲 賵賲亘丕丿卅賴丕). 賵丕毓鬲賲丿鬲 丕賱鬲乇噩賲丞 毓賱賶 賳爻禺丞 賲胤亘賵毓丞 賮賷 噩丕賲毓丞 賴丕乇賮乇丿 毓丕賲 1905. 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 氐丿乇 毓賳 賲賳卮賵乇丕鬲 噩丕賲毓丞 丿賲卮賯 賭 賰賱賷丞 丕賱賴賳丿爻丞 丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷丞 賭 2010.
賱賱丕胤賱丕毓 噩夭卅賷丕
http://www.4shared.com/office/4_GDG5J...
丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱毓卮乇丞 丨賲賱鬲 毓賳丕賵賷賳 (丕賱毓賲丕乇丞 賵丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷 賭 賲賵丕丿 丕賱亘賳丕亍 賭 賳馗丕賲 丕賱賲毓丕亘丿 丕賱兀賷賵賳賷 賭 丕賱賲毓丕亘丿 丕賱丿賵乇賷丞 賵丕賱賰賵乇賷賳孬賷丞 賭 丕賱賲亘丕賳賷 丕賱毓丕賲丞 賭 丕賱賲賳丕夭賱 丕賱禺丕氐丞 賭 丕賱廿賰爻丕亍丕鬲 賵丕賱兀賱賵丕賳 賭 丕賱賲賷丕賴 賭 丕賱爻丕毓丕鬲 賵賲亘丕丿卅賴丕 賭 丕賱丌賱丕鬲 賵賲亘丕丿卅賴丕). 賵丕毓鬲賲丿鬲 丕賱鬲乇噩賲丞 毓賱賶 賳爻禺丞 賲胤亘賵毓丞 賮賷 噩丕賲毓丞 賴丕乇賮乇丿 毓丕賲 1905. 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 氐丿乇 毓賳 賲賳卮賵乇丕鬲 噩丕賲毓丞 丿賲卮賯 賭 賰賱賷丞 丕賱賴賳丿爻丞 丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷丞 賭 2010.
賱賱丕胤賱丕毓 噩夭卅賷丕
http://www.4shared.com/office/4_GDG5J...
372 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 16
569 people are currently reading
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About the author
Vitruvius
253听books71听followersMarcus Vitruvius Pollio (born c. 80鈥�70 BC, died after c. 15 BC) was a Roman military engineer under Julius Ceasar, generally attributed to be the sole author of the only extant major work from classical antiquity on architecture, De architectura, better known in English as The Ten Books on Architecture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
January 1, 2009
One of my students recommended Vitruvius to me 22 years ago. I have kept it by my side ever since. Ancient man is as astute and brilliant as any living today. A must read for anyone traveling to Italy, Greece, anywhere touched by the Roman empire. "....no work can be done without honesty...." and his description of the meaning of significance and that which gives it is grounding for anyone on a journey of making.
November 8, 2010
賲賳 丕賱乇丕卅毓 兀賳 賳鬲毓乇賮 毓賱賶 兀賯丿賲 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷丞.. 賵丕賱鬲賷 賷賳亘睾賷 賱賰賱 賲毓賲丕乇賷 丕賱廿胤賱丕毓 毓賱賷賴.. 賵毓賱賷賳丕 丕賱丕毓鬲乇丕賮 兀賳 賮賷鬲乇賵賮賷賵爻 賱賷爻 賮賯胤 賲毓賲丕乇賷貙 亘賱 賴賵 賲毓賱賲 丨賷孬 賯丕賲 亘賳賯賱 賲毓丕乇賮賴 丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷丞 毓亘乇 賰鬲亘賴 丕賱毓卮乇丞.. 賵丕賱鬲賷 兀賳鬲噩鬲 毓賱賶 丕賱兀賯賱 丕賱丕鬲爻丕賳 丕賱賮賷鬲乇賵賮賷 (丕賱丕賳爻丕賳 匕賵 丕賱賲賯丕賷賷爻 丕賱匕賴亘賷丞).. 毓賱賶 賷丿 賱賷賵賳丕乇丿賵 丿丕賮賳卮賷..
December 21, 2014
Vitruvius
The Ten Books of Architecture by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio ( 80鈥�15 BC) is the first complete treatise that we have on architecture. Reading it is an unmitigated source of joy for someone who has an amateur's interest in architecture or Roman history. People who have simply visited sites Roman buildings (Timgad, Rome, Nimes, or Pompeii) will also take a great pleasure in Vitruvius work as it explains so what of what one has seen at these places.
Little is known about Vitruvius life except that he served in a number of Caesar's campaign and had the reputation of being an outstanding builder of siege engines. In his Ten Books of Architecture, Vitruvius gives a stunning overview of the state of Roman's building technology, aesthetic values and scientific knowledge. He discusses Pythagorean geometry and aesthetic conventions relating to proportions. He carefully explains musical intervals and how their qualities determine how a theatre should be constructed to ensure maximum carrying distance and clarity of sound. He explains how to build walls, forts and breakwaters. He describes how bricks should be made and dried. He explains how to mix stucco and what time of year trees should be cut. He explains how to make a sundial. He makes a elaborate descriptions of how to build hoisting machinery and military catapults. By the time, one has finished the book, one has learned a great deal about how the Romans created their cities, buildings, roads and bridges.
Above all Vitruvius is adamant first priority of the architect should be people's health. He stresses that all times the architect or city planner must design so as to take advantage of sun and wind exposures for the purposes of heating, cooling and ventilation. Cities must be built in dry areas or marshes must be drained to minimize the incidence of diseases. When the architect designs in accordance with the natural environment buildings will last longer and be more comfortable to live in. Ignoring the natural environment means that stucco will crack, foundations will shift, books will become mildewed and the health of the occupants will suffer.
The Ten Books of Architecture is a book with too many charms to be listed. For anyone somewhat familiar with the history of architecture, this book will be an utter delight.
The Ten Books of Architecture by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio ( 80鈥�15 BC) is the first complete treatise that we have on architecture. Reading it is an unmitigated source of joy for someone who has an amateur's interest in architecture or Roman history. People who have simply visited sites Roman buildings (Timgad, Rome, Nimes, or Pompeii) will also take a great pleasure in Vitruvius work as it explains so what of what one has seen at these places.
Little is known about Vitruvius life except that he served in a number of Caesar's campaign and had the reputation of being an outstanding builder of siege engines. In his Ten Books of Architecture, Vitruvius gives a stunning overview of the state of Roman's building technology, aesthetic values and scientific knowledge. He discusses Pythagorean geometry and aesthetic conventions relating to proportions. He carefully explains musical intervals and how their qualities determine how a theatre should be constructed to ensure maximum carrying distance and clarity of sound. He explains how to build walls, forts and breakwaters. He describes how bricks should be made and dried. He explains how to mix stucco and what time of year trees should be cut. He explains how to make a sundial. He makes a elaborate descriptions of how to build hoisting machinery and military catapults. By the time, one has finished the book, one has learned a great deal about how the Romans created their cities, buildings, roads and bridges.
Above all Vitruvius is adamant first priority of the architect should be people's health. He stresses that all times the architect or city planner must design so as to take advantage of sun and wind exposures for the purposes of heating, cooling and ventilation. Cities must be built in dry areas or marshes must be drained to minimize the incidence of diseases. When the architect designs in accordance with the natural environment buildings will last longer and be more comfortable to live in. Ignoring the natural environment means that stucco will crack, foundations will shift, books will become mildewed and the health of the occupants will suffer.
The Ten Books of Architecture is a book with too many charms to be listed. For anyone somewhat familiar with the history of architecture, this book will be an utter delight.
June 3, 2009
my oxford classical dictionary gave me the heart to look in the pages of vitruvius saying it was a book intended not for architects but for those who wish to understand architecture. i would say, though, that vitruvius seems to be more than just an architect but an engineer as well as he discusses city planning, fortification and the constuction of siege machines. the parts on wall stuccos and painting (including information on how to obtain certain colors and from what sources they come) as well as the scattered anecdotes, medical theories (humours and such), and philosophical discussions. not only is how to make good bricks in the book, but why some bricks fail according to their internal humours. i would have liked to attempt this in the original latin, but the central library was lacking, but it is said his style is plain and prosaic (even crude, in places), so maybe i didn't miss much. anyway, i feel that i've gained a better appreciation for both the practicalities and aesthetics of classical architecture and her palladian and neoclassical children. it's made me want to do some building of my own, but the back yard is sadly lacking in both space and pitsand (an essential, m. vitruvius assures me), so my temple of minerva victrix in the ionian style (how attic! what will cato say?) will have to wait.
April 2, 2007
I've read this book no less than four times (only twice were required). Vitruvius clearly articulates everything from the uses of different Classical orders to how to lay out a city to how to make catapults and water screws. Fascinating and entertaining.
(I also have a soft spot for it because it's the book I was reading when I met my fiance. I gave him my only copy for our first Valentine's Day, but I never would have done so if I thought I would actually have to part with it.)
(I also have a soft spot for it because it's the book I was reading when I met my fiance. I gave him my only copy for our first Valentine's Day, but I never would have done so if I thought I would actually have to part with it.)
November 9, 2018
We haven't learned so much since then
June 10, 2022
Una mezcla de melancol铆a, dulzura, filosof铆a y humor."
May 7, 2023
Vitruvius鈥檚 Ten Books on Architecture is the first ever written treatise on architecture, written for Caesar Augustus in the first century BC. The book reads more like a detailed instruction manual. However, the introductions to each book I found amusing considering how much architecture/the architect has changed since ancient Roman times. Overall, I think it is an essential read for all those practicing or studying architecture and/or city planning. It outlines some of the very fundamental principles of design and engineering including symmetry, harmony, proportion, building types, technology and climatic design, which are still relevant today (even more so). There is a lot to learn about Roman history - how the people lived, the prevailing beliefs, and how they created their cities and civilisation. The book became the foundation of architectural theory for centuries and I can say that it is still mentioned in architecture schools today.
November 8, 2010
丨賱賵 賲毓 丕賳賵 賮賷 兀卮賷丕亍 賲丕 賮賴賲鬲賴丕 賱爻丕 毓賲 丿賵乇 毓賱賷賴丕....
丕匕丕 鬲禺乇噩 丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷 亘乇鬲亘丞 賮鬲乇賵賮賷丞 ....賷毓賳賷 丕賳賴 賲毓賲丕乇賷 ....:)
丕匕丕 鬲禺乇噩 丕賱賲毓賲丕乇賷 亘乇鬲亘丞 賮鬲乇賵賮賷丞 ....賷毓賳賷 丕賳賴 賲毓賲丕乇賷 ....:)
March 8, 2020
If you have ever wondered about the classical building techniques including sand, brick, stone, concrete, wind, temples, pillars, sundials, pillars, temples, more pillars, more temples, building orientation, constellations, baths, theatres, stucco, marble, water, water screws, types of pillars, types of temples and more floors...this is the book for your sick mind.
Vitruvius' name will forever be linked to Leonardo da Vinci's sketch, and the impact his technical writings had on the Renaissance Great are evident throughout Vitruvius' ten books. Everywhere there are proportions and proportions are everywhere.
That said...
In the preface Professor Howard noted that Professor Morgan, the translator, described the work of translation to "not merely reproduce the substance of a book, but should also give as clear a picture as possible of the original, of its author, and the workings of his mind....[the translation] deliberately avoids any attempt to treat the language of Vitruvius as though it were Ciceronian, or to give a false impression of conspicuous literary merit..." (v.) Mission accomplished. One does not trudge though the ten books and leave with the impression that one has encountered anything other that the technical writings of an architect hell-bent on preserving his technical skill while trying to spice the books up by sucking up to his patron(s), his audience and by name-dropping as much as possible.
At least each book begins with something approaching an introduction and that is where the vast majority of interesting facts are contained. It is also where the most insight into classical life and thought is contained. The remainder of most chapters is a set-by-step approach at describing the techniques for building in the classical style, especially the concept of proportion...proportion...proportion.
Vitruvius' name will forever be linked to Leonardo da Vinci's sketch, and the impact his technical writings had on the Renaissance Great are evident throughout Vitruvius' ten books. Everywhere there are proportions and proportions are everywhere.
That said...
In the preface Professor Howard noted that Professor Morgan, the translator, described the work of translation to "not merely reproduce the substance of a book, but should also give as clear a picture as possible of the original, of its author, and the workings of his mind....[the translation] deliberately avoids any attempt to treat the language of Vitruvius as though it were Ciceronian, or to give a false impression of conspicuous literary merit..." (v.) Mission accomplished. One does not trudge though the ten books and leave with the impression that one has encountered anything other that the technical writings of an architect hell-bent on preserving his technical skill while trying to spice the books up by sucking up to his patron(s), his audience and by name-dropping as much as possible.
At least each book begins with something approaching an introduction and that is where the vast majority of interesting facts are contained. It is also where the most insight into classical life and thought is contained. The remainder of most chapters is a set-by-step approach at describing the techniques for building in the classical style, especially the concept of proportion...proportion...proportion.
August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Update
Brilliant book, brilliant author.
Even with some dated material this book (10 books on architecture by Vitruvius) shows humility, great skill and wisdom. In other words it points the reader towards learning more and not to be arrogant. It is a big step in the history of ideas. Another point is that Vitruvius shows how important it is to leave written works and to learn from others. Learning from the wisest and most knowledgeable people. We are fortunate that brilliant people wrote down their ideas instead of keeping them to themselves. Indeed - 鈥渋nfinite gratitude鈥�:
Written form:
鈥淥ur ancestors established the intelligent and useful practice of transmitting their thoughts to future generations in the form of bodies of notes so they would not be lost but, growing generation by generation once they had been published as books, they would gradually arrive at the highest level of scientific development in the course of time. So for this we owe them no half-hearted thanks but infinite gratitude, because they did not jealousy pass over these matters in silence but took great care to hand on to posterity their insights of all kinds in written form.鈥�
Education:
鈥淎ll the gifts which fortune bestows she can easily take away; but education, when combined with intelligence, never fails, but abides steadily on to the very end of life.鈥�
鈥淚 think that men have no right to profess themselves architects hastily, without having climbed from boyhood the steps of these studies and thus, nursed by the knowledge of many arts and sciences, having reached the heights of the holy ground of architecture.鈥�
Architects:
鈥淎rchitects should be educated, skillful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens鈥�
/Vitruvius Pollio
Update
Brilliant book, brilliant author.
Even with some dated material this book (10 books on architecture by Vitruvius) shows humility, great skill and wisdom. In other words it points the reader towards learning more and not to be arrogant. It is a big step in the history of ideas. Another point is that Vitruvius shows how important it is to leave written works and to learn from others. Learning from the wisest and most knowledgeable people. We are fortunate that brilliant people wrote down their ideas instead of keeping them to themselves. Indeed - 鈥渋nfinite gratitude鈥�:
Written form:
鈥淥ur ancestors established the intelligent and useful practice of transmitting their thoughts to future generations in the form of bodies of notes so they would not be lost but, growing generation by generation once they had been published as books, they would gradually arrive at the highest level of scientific development in the course of time. So for this we owe them no half-hearted thanks but infinite gratitude, because they did not jealousy pass over these matters in silence but took great care to hand on to posterity their insights of all kinds in written form.鈥�
Education:
鈥淎ll the gifts which fortune bestows she can easily take away; but education, when combined with intelligence, never fails, but abides steadily on to the very end of life.鈥�
鈥淚 think that men have no right to profess themselves architects hastily, without having climbed from boyhood the steps of these studies and thus, nursed by the knowledge of many arts and sciences, having reached the heights of the holy ground of architecture.鈥�
Architects:
鈥淎rchitects should be educated, skillful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens鈥�
/Vitruvius Pollio
April 5, 2021
Mimarl谋kla ve hatta m眉hendislikle ilgili yaz谋lm谋艧 ilk kitap olarak biliniyor. M脰 1. yy da yaz谋ld谋臒谋 i莽in zaman谋n谋n yap谋m teknikleri, kent planlamas谋, mimarisi, materyalleri, makineleri, saatleriyle ilgili hayli geni艧 ve detayl谋 bilgiler veriyor. Bu a莽谋dan merakl谋 olanlara tavsiye ediyorum. Bol bol Platon'a, B眉y眉k 陌skender'e, ve o d枚nemin m眉nevverlerine, o d枚nemlerde ya艧an谋lm谋艧 olaylara g枚nderme i莽eriyor. Birden kendinizi Apollo Tap谋na臒谋n谋n yap谋l谋艧 hikayesi i莽erisinde bulabiliyorsunuz. Ayr谋ca o g眉nk眉 bilimin hangi noktalarda oldu臒unu 莽ok iyi 艧ekilde g枚zlerinizin 枚n眉ne seriyor. Bu a莽谋dan da ayr谋ca tavsiye ederim. Ama saf bilgi y眉kl眉 bir kitap oldu臒u i莽in merakl谋s谋na tavsiye ederim.
April 14, 2018
Huh-hei! Oli taas vaihteeksi mukava lukea antiikin kirjallisuutta. Roomalaisia gubbeja olen lukenut v盲hemm盲n. Vitruvius kirjoitti kirjansa noin 20 -luvulla eaa. Arkkitehtuurin lis盲ksi luonnontieteit盲 ja v盲h盲盲n aikaan huikemmat kuvamateriaalit kirjan mukana nimitt盲in sivutolkulla arkkitehtuuripiirrustuksia, kojepiirrustuksia, pohjapiirroksia ja sen sellaisia. Jeah!
Kirjoitin lukukokemuksesta my枚s blogiin: kosminenk.wordpress.com
Kirjoitin lukukokemuksesta my枚s blogiin: kosminenk.wordpress.com
May 29, 2014
Le pongo 2 estrellas porque este libro me aburri贸 much铆simo, no porque no sea bueno, sino porque es demasiado t茅cnico y a m铆 no me interesa la arquitectura :c
Pero las partes en que Vitruvio contaba an茅cdotas y explicaba cosas generales me gustaron y divirtieron mucho.
Sobre la edici贸n que yo le铆 (trad. Agust铆n Bl谩nquez): hay varios errores tipogr谩ficos, no entend铆 algunas ~traducciones~ de nombres, y no tengo idea de por qu茅 hay tantos futuros subjuntivos cuando we all know que el futuro subjuntivo NO existe en lat铆n.
Pero las partes en que Vitruvio contaba an茅cdotas y explicaba cosas generales me gustaron y divirtieron mucho.
Sobre la edici贸n que yo le铆 (trad. Agust铆n Bl谩nquez): hay varios errores tipogr谩ficos, no entend铆 algunas ~traducciones~ de nombres, y no tengo idea de por qu茅 hay tantos futuros subjuntivos cuando we all know que el futuro subjuntivo NO existe en lat铆n.
January 17, 2015
I preface my remarks by noting that I am not an architect nor am I at all well versed in architecture. I read the book mostly to learn about daily life, how houses were made, and what kind of machines the ancients had. I found his little side stories to b some of the most interesting parts of the book. I skimmed through some of the more detailed points on architecture, but I still learned a fair deal about various building materials, how to lay out a city, and properties of various types of trees.
December 19, 2011
In his architecture, Bauhaus was primarily concerned with expressing his own artistic sparkliness. Vitruvius, on the other hand, was primarily interested in designing useful buildings according to universal laws of proportion and symmetry. Guess which one I like more?
November 29, 2022
Holy hell that was boring. I know I'm *supposed* to give this a higher rating, but I can't. I'm sure there is some sort of value in it (other than just being an important historical text), but it was not exciting to read. It's probably how someone a century from now would feel reading an appliance instruction manual from our time period.
February 6, 2021
Una visi贸n de los principios arquitect贸nicos, es decir, es una de las visiones de la antig眉edad, que van dando forma a la teoria de la arquitectura, b谩sico para todo el que se apasione por crear orden, belleza y funcionalidad al entorno humano.
January 17, 2025
Review coming soon hopefully
September 1, 2020
Vitruvius鈥� book is often included on the must-read shelves of architects 鈥� and rightly so. Not the easiest of reads, I have (skim) read it multiple times over the years, and each time have garnered something new from the reading. This review relates to my most recent (full) reading in preparation for a thesis on metaphorical architecture.
In Book II Chapter 1, Vitruvius outlines the 鈥渙rigin of buildings鈥� 鈥� and in doing so, seemingly ties it to the simultaneous development of spoken language. In 鈥榓ncient times鈥� he says, 鈥渕en were born like wild animals in the forests, caves and woods, spent their lives feeding on fodder [鈥 sounds with many different meanings were emitted when they uttered.鈥� These 鈥榝irst groups鈥� began to build, Vitruvius says, by digging holes and seeking refuge in mud and branches woven to imitate the swallow鈥檚 nest. Over time, he says, 鈥渂y observing each other鈥檚 shelters and incorporating the innovations of theirs in their own thinking about them, they built better kinds of huts day by day鈥� and, apparently at the same time, 鈥渢hey began to talk in a haphazard way and so generated a common language.鈥� In other words, as construction evolved from primitive shelter to vernacular architecture, so too language evolved, also through emulation, from 鈥榟aphazard utterances鈥� to 鈥榗ommon language.鈥� Although presented as assumed-knowledge or hear-say, Vitruvius鈥� notion of collective improving is a fascinating insight that assists my thesis tremendously.
Another aspect he writes of which is also of assistance, is the subject of an architect鈥檚 education. Using almost identical language to the semiologists (Sausurre, Barthes, Baudrillard, Eco and so on ) he says; 鈥渁ll fields, and especially architecture, comprise two aspects: that which is signified and that which signifies it. [鈥 Therefore it is evident that a man who wants to proclaim himself an architect must be proficient with regards to both aspects.鈥� Here, he says, there is never too much that an architect can learn including philosophy, astrology, history and science, literature and drawing. Moreover, as 鈥榰nbelievable鈥� as it might seem to lay people, the ability to 鈥渞etain such a large number of disciplines鈥� in the architect鈥檚 intellect is possible because of their 鈥榗omplimentary relationships鈥� 鈥� 鈥渁ll disciplines are connected with, and feed into, each other [鈥 For a general education is like a single body composed of these different limbs.鈥� [This interconnectedness of information prefigures modern metaphor studies which tend towards inter-disciplinary investigations.]
Other important themes that underlie several sections of Vitruvius鈥� books, are the notions of 鈥榦ptics,鈥� 鈥榠mitation,鈥� 鈥榬eality鈥� and 鈥榯ruth.鈥� Mostly Vitruvius relates optics to the proportions of columns and their intercolumniation, how buildings look up close and from afar, as well as the ways in which 鈥渙ur sense of vision does not seem to produce reliable results, and the mind is often misled by it to arrive at faulty conclusions鈥� - 鈥渨hat is real may seem false and some things may turn out to be different from how they appear to the eyes.鈥� Whilst he praises 鈥榩roper鈥� [i.e. honest] painted representations of 鈥榬eality鈥� (examples include faux-columns and frescoes of vegetation and the battle of Troy), as well as optical adjustments [i.e. fudging] used to make columns look straight and platforms look flat, he disdains 鈥榙ecadent painting鈥� [i.e. cheating] that creates 鈥榙epraved鈥� 鈥榤onstrosities鈥� which invent a non-reality (he gives the examples of reeds supporting rooves and half-human-half-animal-creatures). He seems genuinely aghast by the current 鈥渕inds obscured by faulty taste鈥� which mean that 鈥渨hen people see these falsities they do not criticise them but find them delightful, ignoring the problem of whether any of them can exist or not.鈥� For Vitruvius, architecture is bound to reality which in turn is bound to truth and rationality. He writes that the ancients recognised that 鈥渨hat is impossible in reality could not be based on sound principles鈥� so their buildings, by imitating reality, had 鈥渁 precise sense of propriety and [鈥herefore鈥 the force of truth.鈥� [It calls to mind the debates between Bernard of Clairvaux and his suspicion of the 鈥榤onstrosities鈥� of Abbot Suger鈥檚 Gothic sculptures, Loos鈥� call of 鈥榗rime鈥� against decoration over logic and austerity, as well as Plato鈥檚 suspicion of art as mimesis that gradually moves us further from reality and truth.]
The most obvious, and oft-quoted, section on the metaphoricity of architecture is the relationship between building-dimension and human-dimensions, extrapolated to make the three orders of ancient columns. Doric columns, he says, were designed for the temples of gods and 鈥渆xhibit the proportions, strength and grace of the male body in buildings鈥� and look 鈥渘aked, undecorated and virile.鈥� Ionic columns on the other hand, were originally designed for the temple of a goddess and therefore required refinement, 鈥渁dapting them to feminine gracefulness,鈥� with curled tops to mimic hair, and fluted trunks to match the folds of a dress. The third order is the most inventive of all, 鈥渃alled Corinthian, [it] imitates the elegance of a virgin, because virgins, who are endowed with more graceful limbs because of their tender age, achieve more elegant effects in their ornament.鈥� Of the three orders, its origin story is the most elaborate, and involves the death of a virgin of marriageable-age whose mistress places her favourite cups in a basket upon her tomb. Over time, acanthus leaves grew in spiral volutes upon the basket and cups, and when an Athenian sculptor happened by he was 鈥渄elighted by the style and the novelty of the form鈥� and imitated in his columns at Corinth - and thus a new style was born from death.
Another 鈥榖ack-story鈥� Vitruvius supplies is for Caryatids. In this instance I was extremely taken aback. I had always looked upon the stone columns, shaped as women, as being indicative of goddesses; reliable, stoic, strong, capable women, placed there to willingly support the weight of the world (and the lintel) on their heads. If Vitruvius is to be believed, the opposite is in fact true, and the women are captured Carian鈥檚 (who had sided with the Persians against the Greeks), condemned to be stationed in stone in perpetuity, as 鈥渆ternal examples of slavery crushed by appalling humiliation [鈥 to pay penalty for the whole city.鈥� [A quick search of the internet suggests he too may have got it wrong, but what this double-bind (his and mine) highlights is the ambiguous nature of meaning in architecture, and the risk of incorrect connotation, inference, construal, misappropriation and so on.]
To finish, Vitruvius thanked his predecessors for their 鈥榠ntelligent and useful practice鈥� of recording their ideas in books for future generations 鈥� and for this 鈥� we can praise Vitruvius, as he does his predecessors, with 鈥渘o half-hearted thanks but infinite gratitude.鈥�
In Book II Chapter 1, Vitruvius outlines the 鈥渙rigin of buildings鈥� 鈥� and in doing so, seemingly ties it to the simultaneous development of spoken language. In 鈥榓ncient times鈥� he says, 鈥渕en were born like wild animals in the forests, caves and woods, spent their lives feeding on fodder [鈥 sounds with many different meanings were emitted when they uttered.鈥� These 鈥榝irst groups鈥� began to build, Vitruvius says, by digging holes and seeking refuge in mud and branches woven to imitate the swallow鈥檚 nest. Over time, he says, 鈥渂y observing each other鈥檚 shelters and incorporating the innovations of theirs in their own thinking about them, they built better kinds of huts day by day鈥� and, apparently at the same time, 鈥渢hey began to talk in a haphazard way and so generated a common language.鈥� In other words, as construction evolved from primitive shelter to vernacular architecture, so too language evolved, also through emulation, from 鈥榟aphazard utterances鈥� to 鈥榗ommon language.鈥� Although presented as assumed-knowledge or hear-say, Vitruvius鈥� notion of collective improving is a fascinating insight that assists my thesis tremendously.
Another aspect he writes of which is also of assistance, is the subject of an architect鈥檚 education. Using almost identical language to the semiologists (Sausurre, Barthes, Baudrillard, Eco and so on ) he says; 鈥渁ll fields, and especially architecture, comprise two aspects: that which is signified and that which signifies it. [鈥 Therefore it is evident that a man who wants to proclaim himself an architect must be proficient with regards to both aspects.鈥� Here, he says, there is never too much that an architect can learn including philosophy, astrology, history and science, literature and drawing. Moreover, as 鈥榰nbelievable鈥� as it might seem to lay people, the ability to 鈥渞etain such a large number of disciplines鈥� in the architect鈥檚 intellect is possible because of their 鈥榗omplimentary relationships鈥� 鈥� 鈥渁ll disciplines are connected with, and feed into, each other [鈥 For a general education is like a single body composed of these different limbs.鈥� [This interconnectedness of information prefigures modern metaphor studies which tend towards inter-disciplinary investigations.]
Other important themes that underlie several sections of Vitruvius鈥� books, are the notions of 鈥榦ptics,鈥� 鈥榠mitation,鈥� 鈥榬eality鈥� and 鈥榯ruth.鈥� Mostly Vitruvius relates optics to the proportions of columns and their intercolumniation, how buildings look up close and from afar, as well as the ways in which 鈥渙ur sense of vision does not seem to produce reliable results, and the mind is often misled by it to arrive at faulty conclusions鈥� - 鈥渨hat is real may seem false and some things may turn out to be different from how they appear to the eyes.鈥� Whilst he praises 鈥榩roper鈥� [i.e. honest] painted representations of 鈥榬eality鈥� (examples include faux-columns and frescoes of vegetation and the battle of Troy), as well as optical adjustments [i.e. fudging] used to make columns look straight and platforms look flat, he disdains 鈥榙ecadent painting鈥� [i.e. cheating] that creates 鈥榙epraved鈥� 鈥榤onstrosities鈥� which invent a non-reality (he gives the examples of reeds supporting rooves and half-human-half-animal-creatures). He seems genuinely aghast by the current 鈥渕inds obscured by faulty taste鈥� which mean that 鈥渨hen people see these falsities they do not criticise them but find them delightful, ignoring the problem of whether any of them can exist or not.鈥� For Vitruvius, architecture is bound to reality which in turn is bound to truth and rationality. He writes that the ancients recognised that 鈥渨hat is impossible in reality could not be based on sound principles鈥� so their buildings, by imitating reality, had 鈥渁 precise sense of propriety and [鈥herefore鈥 the force of truth.鈥� [It calls to mind the debates between Bernard of Clairvaux and his suspicion of the 鈥榤onstrosities鈥� of Abbot Suger鈥檚 Gothic sculptures, Loos鈥� call of 鈥榗rime鈥� against decoration over logic and austerity, as well as Plato鈥檚 suspicion of art as mimesis that gradually moves us further from reality and truth.]
The most obvious, and oft-quoted, section on the metaphoricity of architecture is the relationship between building-dimension and human-dimensions, extrapolated to make the three orders of ancient columns. Doric columns, he says, were designed for the temples of gods and 鈥渆xhibit the proportions, strength and grace of the male body in buildings鈥� and look 鈥渘aked, undecorated and virile.鈥� Ionic columns on the other hand, were originally designed for the temple of a goddess and therefore required refinement, 鈥渁dapting them to feminine gracefulness,鈥� with curled tops to mimic hair, and fluted trunks to match the folds of a dress. The third order is the most inventive of all, 鈥渃alled Corinthian, [it] imitates the elegance of a virgin, because virgins, who are endowed with more graceful limbs because of their tender age, achieve more elegant effects in their ornament.鈥� Of the three orders, its origin story is the most elaborate, and involves the death of a virgin of marriageable-age whose mistress places her favourite cups in a basket upon her tomb. Over time, acanthus leaves grew in spiral volutes upon the basket and cups, and when an Athenian sculptor happened by he was 鈥渄elighted by the style and the novelty of the form鈥� and imitated in his columns at Corinth - and thus a new style was born from death.
Another 鈥榖ack-story鈥� Vitruvius supplies is for Caryatids. In this instance I was extremely taken aback. I had always looked upon the stone columns, shaped as women, as being indicative of goddesses; reliable, stoic, strong, capable women, placed there to willingly support the weight of the world (and the lintel) on their heads. If Vitruvius is to be believed, the opposite is in fact true, and the women are captured Carian鈥檚 (who had sided with the Persians against the Greeks), condemned to be stationed in stone in perpetuity, as 鈥渆ternal examples of slavery crushed by appalling humiliation [鈥 to pay penalty for the whole city.鈥� [A quick search of the internet suggests he too may have got it wrong, but what this double-bind (his and mine) highlights is the ambiguous nature of meaning in architecture, and the risk of incorrect connotation, inference, construal, misappropriation and so on.]
To finish, Vitruvius thanked his predecessors for their 鈥榠ntelligent and useful practice鈥� of recording their ideas in books for future generations 鈥� and for this 鈥� we can praise Vitruvius, as he does his predecessors, with 鈥渘o half-hearted thanks but infinite gratitude.鈥�
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August 25, 2021脷nico texto sobre arquitetura datado da Antiguidade cl谩ssica que se conservou at茅 os dias de hoje, o tratado De architectura de Vitr煤vio, escrito em 27 a.C. e supostamente dedicado ao imperador Augusto, tornou-se refer锚ncia j谩 durante a Antiguidade e, s茅culos mais tarde, redescoberto numa abadia italiana, viria a influenciar as concep莽玫es est茅ticas renascentistas. Nas dez partes que comp玫em a obra, trata-se de arquitetura, planejamento urbano, ordens gregas, t茅cnica e materiais de constru莽茫o; identificam-se v谩rios edif铆cios p煤blicos e particulares, religiosos e laicos; s茫o descritos mecanismos de aplica莽茫o civil e militar, como rel贸gios e m谩quinas hidr谩ulicas. No entanto, o vigor do tratado est谩 na concep莽茫o vitruviana de arquitetura como imita莽茫o da natureza; na arte de construir com um senso de propor莽茫o que leva em conta a obra de arte suprema: o corpo humano; e na defini莽茫o das tr锚s qualidades essenciais de uma estrutura: solidez, utilidade e beleza. A edi莽茫o do Tratado de arquitetura que a Martins Fontes 鈥� selo Martins apresenta ao p煤blico brasileiro foi realizada a partir do original latino pelo historiador portugu锚s M. Justino Maciel e inclui in煤meras notas que ajudam o leitor a entender esse genu铆no monumento da cultura cl谩ssica.
March 28, 2019
Read the sections of this book I was interested in and skimmed the rest. Is incredible how much they knew back then, incredible how detailed and location-specific everything was. We are such idiots today, not paying attention at all when we build to the details the ancients paid attention to. The beauty if a city, how nice it is to live there, it's all in these crazy little details, knowing what directions the yearly winds blow and building to block them, building with the right materials for the climate, believing that beauty is both objective and obtainable - oh to be surrounded by architects that build for beauty!
January 4, 2021
Two millennia old, and still highly interesting for people like me who are not architects. I find this book of less than two hundred pages to be a fabulous endeavour.
For architects too, enough tidbits are there to acquire a strong - and essential- foundation upon which to build their modern buildings. I have read modern books on architecture and this one is no less in conception and beauty. The materials have changed, technology comes in handy. But for the rest, you have good company in Vitruvius.
Romans and Greeks did build great buildings, didn鈥檛 they ? :)
For architects too, enough tidbits are there to acquire a strong - and essential- foundation upon which to build their modern buildings. I have read modern books on architecture and this one is no less in conception and beauty. The materials have changed, technology comes in handy. But for the rest, you have good company in Vitruvius.
Romans and Greeks did build great buildings, didn鈥檛 they ? :)
March 17, 2019
In Book I, you learn some of the fundamentals of Architecture, and for example, why to use the Dorian order for temples of Mars and Corinthian for temples of Venus.
Also, soothsaying with animal livers wasn't all just superstition, but bad omen could mean the soil was polluted so best no building, digging for water pits, growing crops, etc. there.
Book II covers building materials, stone, lime, quarries, pozzolan, concrete, timber, ...
Again it has funny anecdotes as a witness account of the thought processes and life in antiquity. Like how Vitruvius rationally explains how it wasn't the superstition of mysterious water properties that turned rough mountain barbarians 'gay' but it was the charm of the Greek civilization.
Or how you should fell trees in winter because wearing fruit is weakening wood, like how a pregnant slave is weaker than a slave without childbearing.
Book III, boring but detailed instructions on the proportions and building of Ionic temples.
Book IV A quick introduction to the mythical origins of the three Greek orders, adding a Roman fourth order, the Tuscan order, followed by more temple design and building instructions.
Book V deals with the public places in cities of antiquity, senate house, baths, harbors, prison, theatre, ...
Ancient Greek music theory is used to explain the acoustics for building and designing theatres, which is possibly even more convoluted and confusing than modern music theory, interesting maybe but you are warned :D
Book VI deals with the design and building of private houses.
It has a funny section on climate, how different climates call for different building styles and then goes on a racist ramble comparing people from different climates according to the humidity in their bodies as a function of the heat in their climate. Even comparing the pitch of their voices with Greek notes produced by filling clay cups with water.
Book VII Vitruvius sounds like old man whining on how new stucco paintings use too many bright and expensive colors and how everything was better in the past when the decorations and paintings were more realistic.
2k yrs ago rants on bright colors or today against millennials & smartphones, old geezers will always be youth bashing afraid of their own mortality when they realize life goes on without them or their bs values.
Book VIII deals with water.
Examples of springs and streams, palatability, toxicity, bitterness, acidity, on choosing lead or clay pipes, ...
Book IX describes ancient methods of telling the passing of time, first from the heavens, Sun, Moon, planets, constellations and then man-made instruments, water clocks, ...
Book X covers machines, all manner of mechanical wooden constructions like hoisting machines, ballistae, water mills, water screws, battering rams, ...
Also, soothsaying with animal livers wasn't all just superstition, but bad omen could mean the soil was polluted so best no building, digging for water pits, growing crops, etc. there.
Book II covers building materials, stone, lime, quarries, pozzolan, concrete, timber, ...
Again it has funny anecdotes as a witness account of the thought processes and life in antiquity. Like how Vitruvius rationally explains how it wasn't the superstition of mysterious water properties that turned rough mountain barbarians 'gay' but it was the charm of the Greek civilization.
Or how you should fell trees in winter because wearing fruit is weakening wood, like how a pregnant slave is weaker than a slave without childbearing.
Book III, boring but detailed instructions on the proportions and building of Ionic temples.
Book IV A quick introduction to the mythical origins of the three Greek orders, adding a Roman fourth order, the Tuscan order, followed by more temple design and building instructions.
Book V deals with the public places in cities of antiquity, senate house, baths, harbors, prison, theatre, ...
Ancient Greek music theory is used to explain the acoustics for building and designing theatres, which is possibly even more convoluted and confusing than modern music theory, interesting maybe but you are warned :D
Book VI deals with the design and building of private houses.
It has a funny section on climate, how different climates call for different building styles and then goes on a racist ramble comparing people from different climates according to the humidity in their bodies as a function of the heat in their climate. Even comparing the pitch of their voices with Greek notes produced by filling clay cups with water.
Book VII Vitruvius sounds like old man whining on how new stucco paintings use too many bright and expensive colors and how everything was better in the past when the decorations and paintings were more realistic.
2k yrs ago rants on bright colors or today against millennials & smartphones, old geezers will always be youth bashing afraid of their own mortality when they realize life goes on without them or their bs values.
Book VIII deals with water.
Examples of springs and streams, palatability, toxicity, bitterness, acidity, on choosing lead or clay pipes, ...
Book IX describes ancient methods of telling the passing of time, first from the heavens, Sun, Moon, planets, constellations and then man-made instruments, water clocks, ...
Book X covers machines, all manner of mechanical wooden constructions like hoisting machines, ballistae, water mills, water screws, battering rams, ...
November 21, 2024
Not an easy read, but overall a rewarding one. Although I found myself skimming the more technical parts, for the most part this book was rather interesting. Given that Vitruvius is the only author on Architecture to survive from antiquity, he is our best and only source on the subject. He does touch on far more than what we would consider architecture, such as choosing sites for building cities, the effects of winds and building placement on health, materials used in construction and particularly in flooring, and finding quality sources of water. He also goes into astronomy, time keeping via sundials and water clocks, different machines up to and including a water organ, a host of devices for moving objects and basic engineering, as well as various military siege weapons which were his forte having served with Caesar in the Gallic Wars. The Penguin Classics version includes an excellent introduction, copious notes, actual Greek words as they appeared in the original (which makes the year I spent trying to learn Ancient Greek all the more worth it), as well as multiple illustrations from a renaissance translation that make the text easier to follow, mostly.
I can鈥檛 believe I wrote this much of a review for this book. I guess having invested so much time reading it I feel the need to share my findings. Overall, I do not recommend reading this book unless you are really into the idea of having read it, like I was.
I can鈥檛 believe I wrote this much of a review for this book. I guess having invested so much time reading it I feel the need to share my findings. Overall, I do not recommend reading this book unless you are really into the idea of having read it, like I was.
September 23, 2018
This was a real grind. Undeniably a very important work, one that has greatly influenced the course of architecture over the last 2000 years, but doesn't exactly make for an enjoyable read.
In hindsight, I probably should have given up during Book IV, in which Vitruvius prescribes in painstaking detail the exact measurements for preparing columns, architraves, and the other elements of temples, depending on the desired size and style.
The text is littered with a series of bizarre tangential anecdotes about Greek and Roman history, which seem to serve no other purpose than to make the author appear more knowledgeable.
Yet somehow, I did find myself entertained by his hilariously inconsistent "science". He explains levers and pulleys with the same conviction as the "fact" that the level of moisture in the air causes people from Southern climates to be more intelligent than those from Northern nations.
The whole work is probably best summarised by this quote from Book IX, where he attempts to explain that the Sun does not radiate heat equally in all directions:
"If then, fact and reason and the evidence of an ancient poet point to this explanation, I do not see why we should decide otherwise than as I have written above on this subject".
In hindsight, I probably should have given up during Book IV, in which Vitruvius prescribes in painstaking detail the exact measurements for preparing columns, architraves, and the other elements of temples, depending on the desired size and style.
The text is littered with a series of bizarre tangential anecdotes about Greek and Roman history, which seem to serve no other purpose than to make the author appear more knowledgeable.
Yet somehow, I did find myself entertained by his hilariously inconsistent "science". He explains levers and pulleys with the same conviction as the "fact" that the level of moisture in the air causes people from Southern climates to be more intelligent than those from Northern nations.
The whole work is probably best summarised by this quote from Book IX, where he attempts to explain that the Sun does not radiate heat equally in all directions:
"If then, fact and reason and the evidence of an ancient poet point to this explanation, I do not see why we should decide otherwise than as I have written above on this subject".
July 27, 2023
My copy was a library copy which wasn't listed on this website; great stuff so long as you are into architecture especially Roman architecture-- something I have always wanted to take a look at; the book is officially 'De architectura, libri decem' aka 'The Ten Books on Architecture' written by a 1st century BC Roman, about whom very little is known other than what he reveals as his knowledge concerning the whole gamut of roman buildings, their methods of construction, materials, military equipment, musical instruments, etc. This translated version by Professor Morgan notes some missing parts in the text but does not seem to intrude on the original. Of note, was that Marcus Polio Vitruvius (most likely his full name) was aware of the dangers of lead piping & recommends clay & clay linings for any waterworks even then (mid-first century BC); he also takes a very comprehensive & eco-conscious view of city planning, allowing for shade, wind directions, and general siting factors including soil types & rocks. The architect/engineers of the day also seem to have borrowed heavily from the Greeks & then adapted & improved methods & know how for their own Roman uses. I'll probably re-read this book as I am sure I missed a few key points.
July 22, 2018
Vitruvius 鈥� Roman Engineer, Architect. He gives thorough detail of how Romans built their houses. He鈥檚 writing the book to Caeser. He starts by sharing how Architects need a wide variety of knowledge from music, astronomy, geometry, history. We don鈥檛 learn astronomy these days. But I suspect it had something to do with Astrology or signs. He boils down the principles of Architecture to Order, Arrangement, Eurythmy [ systematic movement of parts in reciting poetry or some literature ] and Economy.
He goes to explain in detail about each of these. He uses the word, 鈥渇orms of expression.鈥� He would say, forms of expression of arrangement are ground-plan, elevation, perspective. I like how he used this word. Anyway 鈥� next he goes to explain; Departments of Architecture, Materials, Temples, Forums, Houses, Floor, How to Find Water, Astrology, and Machines. It鈥檚 interesting to connect music with architecture, he gives a detailed explanation of how a theatre is connected to each rhythm of the music.
I was curious about how to find Water. I really wonder if his method works. I'm not sure. Overall, a good introduction to Architectural Principles.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
He goes to explain in detail about each of these. He uses the word, 鈥渇orms of expression.鈥� He would say, forms of expression of arrangement are ground-plan, elevation, perspective. I like how he used this word. Anyway 鈥� next he goes to explain; Departments of Architecture, Materials, Temples, Forums, Houses, Floor, How to Find Water, Astrology, and Machines. It鈥檚 interesting to connect music with architecture, he gives a detailed explanation of how a theatre is connected to each rhythm of the music.
I was curious about how to find Water. I really wonder if his method works. I'm not sure. Overall, a good introduction to Architectural Principles.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
April 19, 2020
A direct and authoritative overview of the precepts of building everything from fanes (temples), to farmhouses, to aqueducts, to the nature of the signs of the Zodiac and the movement of the stars, "Vitruvius' The Ten Books of Architecture" is both an artifact itself from the days of first century as well as a rigorously practical guide to building and, in its many digressions, to life. Its position historically (Bramante,Michelangelo, Palladia, Vignola, and earlier architects faithfully followed its precepts) is understood intuitively by its readers, for the book provides "real world" answers to thousand different issues concerned with ancient building methods. Particularly stimulating for this student of classical history was the Book on Temples, which laid out simply but comprehensively the parameters of building classic places of sacrifice clearly and succinctly. Factually enriching, yes, but Vitruvius also wrote colloquially in the idiom of his day, and thus gives a portrait of the sensibility of the average Roman citizen. For this and the other reasons stated, "The Ten Books of Architecture" is essential reading.
October 30, 2024
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman architect and engineer flourishing in the first century B.C., was the author of the oldest and most influential work on architecture in existence. For hundreds of years, the specific instructions he gave in his "Ten Books on Architecture" were followed faithfully, and major buildings in all parts of the world reveal the widespread influence of his precepts. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, he was "the chief authority studied by architects, and in every point his precepts were accepted as final. Bramante, Michelangelo, Palladio, Vignola, and earlier were careful students of the work of Vitruvius." His book is thus one of those rare works that have been supremely important in the creation of the greatest art masterpieces.
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