Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (Virgil) (c.80 - c.20 BC)
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was an engineer and architect for the Emperor Augustus. Putting his significant theoretical and practical knowledge into written form, Vitruvius stands alone as the single greatest source on ancient architecture.
His one surviving work De architectura (On architecture), written in 10 separate volumes, describes detailed aspects of Roman architecture, engineering, and city planning. Vitruvius remained highly influential throughout the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance; he inspired a great return to classical architecture.
Not only does he provide an invaluable resource into the architecture of ancient Rome, but provides his own unique view of Roman life, culture, philosophy and art.
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Did you know...
The Renaissance is the period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages and the rise of the modern world; a cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries AD.
