Vitruvius
Author of De Architectura, foundation of Western architecture
Most quoted
"Therefore, since this art is such a one, and so rich in the number of its studies, I think that men have no right to profess themselves architects unless they have climbed with the greatest diligence from boyhood up the steps of all these studies, and, having been nourished by the knowledge of many arts and sciences, have reached the highest temple of architecture."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter 1, Section 12
"The architect should be a man of good education, a skilful draughtsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on the principles of natural and moral philosophy, able to play and understand music, having some knowledge of medicine, knowing the opinions of the jurists, and of astronomy and the rules of the heavens."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter I, Section 3
"The architect must be a man of letters, a skillful draughtsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, and diligent in the study of philosophy; he must understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of lawyers, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter 1
All quotes by Vitruvius (367)
The ancients who introduced the timber style of building turned their attention to the imitation of nature.
The invention of the different orders of columns arose from the imitation of buildings constructed of timber.
The triglyphs in the Doric frieze were designed to represent the ends of the beams.
The mutules over the triglyphs are to be made to slope outwards, so that the drip from the roof may fall clear of the triglyphs and metopes.
In theatres, the voice, uttered from the stage as from a centre, spreads itself out in a circle and strikes against the cavities of the different parts of the theatre, which being arranged in a circular form, return the voice so as to make it more distinct.
The voice is a flowing breath of air, perceptible to the hearing by contact.
The use of bronze vessels in theatres is not for ornament, but for the sake of the voice.