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Vitruvius Pollio

Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture (Volume 1) Paperback – June 1, 1960

by Vitruvius (Author), Morris Hicky Morgan (Translator)

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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.
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.
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 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. 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. This edition is the standard English translation, prepared over a period of several years by Professor M. H. Morgan of Harvard University.

Print length

331 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Dover Publications
Publication date

June 1, 1960
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.75 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

0486206459
ISBN-13

978-0486206455
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications (June 1, 1960)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 331 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486206459
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486206455
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #35,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6 in Architectural Criticism
- #10 in Architectural History
- #730 in Short Stories (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 462 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

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Jackson

Vitruvius The ten books of Architcture

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2010

Verified Purchase

This book is a MUST for every interested mind to understanding the basics and logic to why construction and design is, what it is! Today construction throws logic out the door and is based off of money ... short term return. This book along with Palladio's book, Four Books of Architecture, will be the corner stone of a new chapter in construction and design. Designers, Builders and politicians (who should not be in the mix of decision makers) all talk the talk of "Green", proving to be a farce in many ways. Simple concepts explained and set in these two books prove more "Green" than anything brought up today in this world based off of fade and fashion.

Just make it simple, get these two books into your reading schedule and learn what was forgotten. The thought process becomes clear once taken the time to just sit down and READ!!!

Michael in Charlotte, NC
(previously of FL, previously of NV, previously of CA, previously of DC, previously of PA)

10 people found this helpful

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Tony Baker

Classic text written two thousand years ago

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021

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An excellent reference source for archaeologists and students of Roman architecture. Also an interesting look at life as seen by an upper middle class Roman of the first century.

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

Just an incredible eloquence. If you like the topic you will surely enjoy the book.

One person found this helpful

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Chrystine Collins-Blums

It's a Classic - It's Free - You Can't Go Wrong

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

I took a History of Architecture course. Vitruvius was mentioned (of course). His Ten Books on Architecture are classics. If you have any interest in classic architecture, you need to peruse these texts. If you ever take an architecture class, you will need to peruse these texts. It free for the Kindle - you can't go wrong.

It is a bit laborious to read but that's to be expected. It wasn't written by Stephanie Meyers (or whoever that Twilight author is.)

2 people found this helpful

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John Edwards

A must-have on my bookshelf, at least....

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2020

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Well, it's not like I'm going to sit down and read this thing cover to cover but it is fun and occasionally useful to have in arm's reach.

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Inti Burgos

An interesting book that let's you know how thing's were done more than 2000 years ago.

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2014

Verified Purchase

It is amazing how some of the issues Vitruvius wrote more than 2000 years ago still appling today in the way architects do their work. An exelent book with a lot of information concerning even weapons of war, nevertheless in those sections at wich Vitruvius does an extensive detailing, it turns into a rather tedious lecture, specially because a lack of more ilustrations.

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SRdto

CLEAR AND TOP NOTCH ILLUSTRATION

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2012

Verified Purchase

The translation is excellent, but what makes this book so worthwhile is the large-format illustration of the ideas. If this primary source is intertesting to you in the first place, then this version is the one you want. Could have done with some 'notes in the margin' to further illuminate key points and perspectives. Maybe an idea for the next edition?

4 people found this helpful

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P. D. Wolfgram

Recommended text.

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017

Verified Purchase

I recommend this book for all architecture students for their early college curriculum. This issue is a value reprint with low quality illustrations of a early 20th century translation. Amazing who many Wikipedia articles refer to this text and the extent of technology developed in the first century and lost and rediscovered over a thousand years later.

13 people found this helpful

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Kevin Whittington FICE , FGS .

VITRUVIUS

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Being a practising Engineer , for some 50 years plus now , I am forever reading new texts and technical papers in connection with buildings and structures . Occasionally , the name " Vitruvius" pops-up , especially when reading articles on classical architecture and the structural behaviour and geometrical form of the older buildings built from stone . So , I was curious to find out who this Vitruvius is ? Thus , I scanned the Amazon " Bookshelf " with a view to finding a good , but concise book on the subject and which I now have .
I have only just started to read the book , but I have already learned a few interesting facts . The language of the book is in the quaint , classical style . Some people may find the book "heavy going" but , really , it is for the likes of Architects and Engineers . I'm sure many Architects read this book during their studies at college .
I continue to read the book in small measures and , no doubt , I will come to a final conclusion when I have finished it .
Interesting book , so far .

6 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Rome's Master Builder

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is literally a translation of Vitruvius with a few added sketches and photographs taken by the original translator. The translator wanted to stay true to Vitruvius' original and consequently translated his matter of fact language. This is not the fine prose of Tacitus. However, it does appear to define what the Romans knew about building and engineering and for that alone it is worth the slog.

The book covers many subjects from building and choice of materials to acoustics and water organs. He even defined what he believed would make a good Architect. This is Vitruvius' opinion, but it subsequently does appear to be one shared by many in the Empire. His opinions are generally confined to those regarding architecture. He does occasionally stray from engineering, but this is not a social history.

I originally read the book in isolation and due to the above found it hard going. However, as a companion book to say "Engineering in the Ancient World by JG Landels [1978]" it was much easier to understand the engineering.

In summary; the book serves its purpose as a translation, but is not easy going if you want to understand the engineering.

5 people found this helpful

MS

You will get more than you expect.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2014

Verified Purchase

The ten books do very well what they promise to do. They describe the fundamentals of ancient architecture and building practices. During the time between then and now, some of the technical details have been proven to be correct while some have been found to be completely off-track, sometimes very amusing still. This all is something one knows to expect from the book. The extra bonus is that as Vitruvius has been given the means, he takes the liberty to write about whatever he feels the urge to write about. The are numerous pages about general politics, and what I specially enjoyed: a short wondering about why the sportsmen are so much more valued in the society than persons with more useful achievements. Just to give an example of the loose fencing around the subject.

11 people found this helpful

jason owen

For the real book nuts out there

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

If you are interested in classical architecture, Roman history and its insights or attitudes, or even aesthetic theory and have wondered at the fascination it held for the 18th century, then this is a great book to dip into for source material. There's a wealth of fascinating stuff depending on which perspective you're coming from. If you're a hardened book lover you'll enjoy many of its aspects, though steer clear if you're not: J.K. Rowling this isn't.

5 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

A classic

Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2019

Verified Purchase

Some good ideas about it.

One person found this helpful

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