_The Method of the Works of_ Vitruvius, _with short
Arguments of every Book._
[Sidenote: _Lib. 1. Chap. 3._]
All his Works are divided into Three Parts: The First Treats of
Building; The Second is Gnomonical, and treats at large of Astronomical
and Geometrical Affairs. The Third gives Rules and Examples for making
Machines or Engines serviceable, either in War or Building. The First
Part is treated of in the Eight first Books: The Second in the Ninth:
The Third in the Last.
The First Part which relates to Building is twofold, for they are either
publick or private. He speaks of private Buildings in the Sixth Book;
and as to that which relates to publick Buildings, it's likewise divided
into Three Parts, _viz._ That which has Relation to Security, which
consists in Fortifications, described in the Third Chapter of the First
Book; That which appertains to Religion, of which he treats in the Third
and Fourth Books, and that which relates to publick Conveniencies, as
_Town-Houses_, _Theatres_, _Baths_, _Academies_, _Market-places_,
_Gates_; of which he treats in the Fifth Book.
The Gnomonical part is treated of in the Ninth Book.
The Third Part which treats of Machines, is treated of in the Tenth and
Last Book.
Besides these particular Matters of Architecture, there are Three things
that appertain to all sort of Edifices, which are, Solidity,
Convenience, and Beauty. He speaks of Solidity in the Eleventh Chapter
of the Sixth Book; of Convenience, in the Seventh Chapter of the same
Book; and of Beauty through the whole Chapter of the Seventh Book; which
contains all the Ornaments that Painting and Sculpture are capable of
giving to all sorts of Fabricks; and as to Proportion, which ought to be
esteemed one of the principal Foundations of Beauty, it's treated of
throughout all his Works.
But to make it better understood, in what Method every Book explains
those things, we must tell you, That in the First Book, after having
treated of those things that belong to Architecture in General, by the
Enumeration of the Parts that compose it, and of those that are required
in an Architect, the Author explains in particular what choice ought to
be made of the Seat where we ought to Build, as to Health and
Convenience; after he speaks of the Foundations and of the Building of
Fortifications, and the Form of Towers and Walls of Cities, he dilates
himself upon the Air and Healthiness of the Situation.
In the Second Book, he speaks of the Original of Architecture, and what
were the first Habitations of Mankind; after he treats of the Materials,
_viz._ of Brick, Sand, Lime, Stones, and Timber: After which he treats
of the different Methods of laying, binding, and Masonry of Stones. He
Philosophizes upon their Principles, and upon the Nature of Lime, upon
the choice of Sand, and the time of cutting of Wood.
The Third Book treats of the Proportion of the Temples, and of seven
sorts of them which are those called _Antes_, _Prostyle_,
_Amphiprostyle_, _Periptere_, _Pseudiptere_, _Diptere_ and _Hypaethre_.
After he speaks of the Different spaces that ought to be betwxit every
Pillar, to which he gives the Five Names following, (which in the latter
Part of this Book shall be more fully explained, as well as divers Terms
of Art) _viz._ _Pycnostyle_, _Systyle_, _Diastyle_, _Araeostyle_ and
_Eustyle_. After that, he gives in particular the Proportions of the
_Ionick_ Order, and demonstrates that it has a Proportion with Humane
Bodies.
The Fourth gives the Proportion of the _Corinthian_ and _Dorick_ Orders
for Temples, with the Proportions of all the Parts that compose them.
The Fifth treats of Publick Fabricks, _viz._ of _Market-places_,
_Theatres_, _Palaces_, _Baths_, _Schools_ for Sciences, and _Academies_
for Exercises, and in Conclusion, of _Sea-Ports_; and after occasionally
discourses at large upon Musick, because, speaking of Theatres, he gives
an account how the Ancient Architects, were in some places of the
Theatre wont to place Vessels of Brass to serve for several sorts of
tunable Echo's, and augmenting the Voice of the Comedians.
In the Sixth he teaches what were the Proportions and Forms of private
Houses among the Greeks and Romans, as well in the City as Country; and
describes all the parts of the House, _viz._ the Courts, Porches,
Halls, Dining Rooms, Chambers, Cabinets and Libraries.
In the Seventh he treats of the manner of making use of Mortar for
Plaster and Floors; how Lime and the Powder of Marble ought to be
prepared to make Stuck. He speaks likewise of the Ornaments that are
common to all sorts of Buildings, as Painting; and all sorts of Colours,
as well Natural as Artificial, that the Ancients made use of.
In the Eighth he speaks of Waters, and Rivers, and Fountains; _viz._ of
their Springs, of their Nature, and Properties; how they are to be
sought; and of the Conduits that are to bring them to Cities and
Villages.
The Ninth is wholly Gnomonical, and teaches the manner of making
Sun-Dials, and gives an account of the Rules of Geometry, how to measure
solid Bodies. He discourses at large of the Course of the Stars, and the
particular Description of those that are called Fixed Stars.
The Last is taken up wholly in the Description of making Machines to
lift up great Weights, and others for several uses; _viz._ for the
Elevation of Water for Corn-Mills, Water-Organs and Measuring the Way as
well by Sea as by Land; but it chiefly treats of Machines fit for the
use of Building and War.
AN
ABRIDGMENT
OF THE
TEN BOOKS
OF
ARCHITECTURE
Written by VITRUVIUS.