Vitruvius

Complete and Illustrated EditionVitruvius (Marcus V. Pollio), Roman architect and engineer, studied Greek philosophy and science and gained experience in the course of professional work. He was one of those appointed to be overseers of imperial artillery or military engines, and was architect of at least one unit of buildings for Augustus in the reconstruction of Rome. Late in life and in ill health he completed, sometime before 27 BCE, De Architectura which, after its rediscovery in the fifteenth century, was influential enough to be studied by architects from the early Renaissance to recent times.His ten books on architecture give great insight into Greco-Roman culture and life. The topics relating to architecture comprise many things that would surprise a modern reader but were considered an integral part of life 2000 years ago. Consideration of these things might help make modern cities more pleasant to live in and deserve the attention of architects.