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The Ten Books on Architecture

Vitruvius Pollio · c. 30–20 BCE primary

passage 17 of 189 · BOOK I > CHAPTER III

in brief
Vitruvius links natural propriety to site selection for healing cults like Aesculapius and Health, and to orientation of light—east for bedrooms and libraries, west for winter baths, north for galleries needing steady illumination.

THE DEPARTMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE

  1. There are three departments of architecture: the art of building, the making of timepieces, and the construction of machinery. Building is, in its turn, divided into two parts, of which the first is the construction of fortified towns and of works for general use in public places, and the second is the putting up of structures for private individuals. There are three classes of public buildings: the first for defensive, the second for religious, and the third for utilitarian purposes. Under defence comes the planning of walls, towers, and gates, permanent devices for resistance against hostile attacks; under religion, the erection of fanes and temples to the immortal gods; under utility, the provision of meeting places for public use, such as harbours, markets, colonnades, baths, theatres, promenades, and all other similar arrangements in public places.

  2. All these must be built with due reference to durability, convenience, and beauty. Durability will be assured when foundations are carried down to the solid ground and materials wisely and liberally selected; convenience, when the arrangement of the apartments is faultless and presents no hindrance to use, and when each class of building is assigned to its suitable and appropriate exposure; and beauty, when the appearance of the work is pleasing and in good taste, and when its members are in due proportion according to correct principles of symmetry.

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topics: religious persecution and toleration · the city and urban life

The Ten Books on Architecture · Vitruvius Pollio · 30–20 BCE