the ten books of architecture by vitruvius

Besides being an instructive treatise on nearly everything connected with Roman and Greek architecture, it is an entertaining description of some aspects of the life and beliefs of the times. Vitruvius wrote in such a fascinating manner, and digressed from his subject so often (as, for instance, when he wrote about the winds, Archimedes in his bath, and why authors should receive awards and honors at least as often as athletes), that his book has had a continuing appeal to the general reader for many centuries. It is a direct, authoritative, and detailed introduction to the ancients' methods of construction, the materials of the architect, and the prevailing aesthetic beliefs of the times but it is also a work of art. Vitruvius describes the classic principles of symmetry, harmony, and proportion in architecture the design of the treasury, prison, senate house, baths, forum, and temples the construction of the theater: its site, foundations, and acoustics the proper style and proportion for private dwellings the differences between the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian styles methods of giving durability and beauty to polished finishings and many other topics that help us understand the methods and beliefs of the Roman architect. His book is thus one of those rare works that have been supremely important in the creation of the greatest art masterpieces. Bramante, Michelangelo, Palladio, Vignola, and earlier were careful students of the work of Vitruvius.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, he was the chief authority studied by architects, and in every point his precepts were accepted as final. 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. ‘I would recommend anyone interested in ancient architecture to buy a copy of this volume for the commentary alone.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. ‘Rowland and Howe have reconstructed Vitruvius’s conception of architecture as a liberal art and an essential component of any civilized society, and made it accessible to us.’ ‘This book makes the Renaissance enthusiasm for Vitruvius understandable again, and it is an indispensable starting point for future work on him.’ Rowland has done a tremendous service to all those interested in classical architecture.’ ‘As twentieth century translator of Vitruvius’ treatise Ingrid D.

With Vitruvius now made less obscure, we can see with much greater clarity the inherent flexibility of the Classical system at the time when there was no such thing as Classical architecture - only architecture.’ ‘ … this is an important publishing event in the study of architectural history.

The ten books of architecture by vitruvius