# De architectura

> treatise on architecture by Vitruvius

**Wikidata**: [Q1232238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1232238)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_architectura)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/de-architectura

## Summary
De architectura is a treatise on architecture written by the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius. It is a formal and systematic written discourse that has been read for enjoyment and edification since ancient times. The work is also known as "Ten Books on Architecture" or "Vitr."

## Key Facts
- De architectura is a treatise, which is a formal and systematic written discourse on some subject
- The work was authored by Vitruvius, a Roman architect and engineer
- It is classified as a literary work, intended to be read for enjoyment or edification
- The treatise has 34 sitelinks, indicating its presence across multiple language Wikipedias
- De architectura has two inception dates: -0001-00-00T00:00:00Z and -0050-00-00T00:00:00Z
- The work is also known by the aliases "Ten Books on Architecture" and "Vitr."
- Pierre Gros, a French latinist and archaeologist, has studied this work

## FAQs
What is De architectura?
De architectura is a treatise on architecture written by the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius. It is a formal and systematic written discourse that has been read for enjoyment and edification since ancient times.

Who wrote De architectura?
De architectura was written by Vitruvius, a Roman architect and engineer who lived during the 1st century BC.

What is the significance of De architectura?
De architectura is significant as it is one of the most important works on architecture from classical antiquity. It has influenced architectural theory and practice for centuries and remains a key text in the study of architecture.

## Why It Matters
De architectura matters because it is a foundational text in the field of architecture, providing systematic knowledge about architectural principles, design, and construction techniques from ancient Rome. As one of the few surviving comprehensive works on architecture from classical antiquity, it has served as a crucial source of information for architects, historians, and scholars for over two millennia. The treatise covers a wide range of topics including town planning, building materials, temple construction, and mechanical engineering, making it an invaluable resource for understanding ancient Roman architecture and engineering. Its influence extends beyond architecture into fields such as urban planning, aesthetics, and the history of science and technology.

## Notable For
- Being one of the most important surviving works on architecture from classical antiquity
- Influencing architectural theory and practice for over two millennia
- Covering a comprehensive range of topics including town planning, building materials, and mechanical engineering
- Serving as a key text in the study of ancient Roman architecture and engineering
- Being studied and commented upon by scholars such as Pierre Gros, a French latinist and archaeologist

## Body
### Historical Context and Authorship
De architectura was written by Vitruvius, a Roman architect and engineer who lived during the 1st century BC. Vitruvius served as an architect and engineer under Julius Caesar and later Augustus. His work, De architectura, is dedicated to Emperor Augustus and represents one of the most comprehensive treatises on architecture from classical antiquity.

### Structure and Content
The treatise is divided into ten books, which is why it is also known as "Ten Books on Architecture." These books cover a wide range of topics related to architecture and engineering, including:
- Town planning and architecture in general
- Building materials and their properties
- Temple construction and the orders of architecture
- Public buildings such as theaters and baths
- Private buildings and their design
- Clocks, hydraulics, and mechanical engineering

### Influence and Legacy
De architectura has had a profound influence on architectural theory and practice for over two millennia. During the Renaissance, it was one of the first ancient texts to be printed (in 1486) and was widely studied by architects and scholars. The work's emphasis on the three principles of architecture - firmitas (strength), utilitas (functionality), and venustas (beauty) - became fundamental to architectural theory.

### Scholarly Interest
The treatise has been the subject of extensive scholarly study. Pierre Gros, a French latinist and archaeologist born in 1939, has contributed to the study of this work. Gros's expertise in Latin and archaeology has likely provided valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of Vitruvius's writing.

### Classification and Reception
De architectura is classified as a literary work, intended to be read for enjoyment and edification. This classification underscores its value not just as a technical manual, but as a work of literature that has been appreciated for its content and style over centuries. The treatise has 34 sitelinks across multiple language Wikipedias, indicating its widespread recognition and study in various cultures and languages.

### Technical Aspects
The inception dates of De architectura are given as -0001-00-00T00:00:00Z and -0050-00-00T00:00:00Z, suggesting that the work was likely composed sometime between 50 BC and 1 BC. This timeframe places the writing of the treatise during a period of significant architectural and engineering activity in the Roman Empire, under the late Republic and early Principate.

## References

1. [Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1847603W/De_architectura)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
4. BnF authorities
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](https://www.arthistoricum.net/themen/portale/renaissance/lektion-iii-die-geistigen-und-kunsttheoretischen-grundlagen-der-renaissance/4-albertis-architekturtheorie)
8. [Source](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/abbrevhelp)