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Quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“The Phrygians select a natural hillock, run a trench through the middle of it, dig passages, and extend the interior space as widely as the site admits. Over it they build a pyramidal roof of logs fastened together, and this they cover with reeds and brushwood, heaping up very high mounds of earth above their dwellings. Thus their fashion in houses makes their winters very warm and their summers very cool.”

Quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Author

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a renowned Roman architect, engineer, and writer, lived from 81 BC to 15 AD. He is considered one of the founders of Roman architecture and is best known for his work 'De Architectura', which has had a profound impact on the development of architecture throughout history. more

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Mean Causes Rivers Accounts Instruments Structure Excellence Useless Spite Sand Cracks Concrete Mixtures Richness Straws Limes Thinness

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“In Sparta, paintings have been taken out of certain walls by cutting through the bricks, then have been placed in wooden frames, and so brought to the Comitium to adorn the aedileship of [C. Visellius] Varro and [C. Licinius] Murena.”

Has Beens Certain Taken Cutting Painting Wall Bricks Sparta

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“At Halicarnassus, the house of that most potent king Mausolus, though decorated throughout with Proconnesian marble, has walls built of brick which are to this day of extraordinary strength, and are covered with stucco so highly polished that they seem to be as glistening as glass. That king did not use brick from poverty; for he was choke-full of revenues, being ruler of all Caria.”

Use Seems House Poverty Wall Kings Built Extraordinary Glasses This Day Covered Rulers Bricks Revenue Choke Marble Polished

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“Oak... lasts for an unlimited period when buried in underground structures... when exposed to moisture... it cannot take in liquid on account of its compactness, but, withdrawing from the moisture, it resists it and warps, thus making cracks.”

Lasts Periods Accounts Structure Cracks Buried Exposed Unlimited Liquid Oaks Warp Moisture Withdrawing

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“The winter oak... is very useful in buildings but when in a moist place it takes in water to its centre... and so it rots. The Turkey oak and the beech both... take in moisture to their centre and soon decay. White and black poplar, as well as willow, linden, and the agnus castus... are of great service from their stiffness... they are a convenient material to use in carving.”

Wells Use Black Water White Building Materials Winter Decay Centre Turkeys Convenient Oaks Carving Great Service Moisture Stiffness

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“The design of a temple depends on symmetry, the principles of which must be most carefully observed by the architect.”

Principles Design Depends Temples Architect Symmetry

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“Basilicas should be constructed on a site adjoining the forum and in the warmest possible quarter, so that in winter business men may gather in them without being troubled by the weather.”

Men Should May Winter Weather Quarters Site Forums Business Man

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“If our designs for private houses are to be correct, we must at the outset take note of the countries and climates in which they are built.”

Ifs Country House Design Built Notes Climate

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“The fact is that pictures which are unlike reality ought not be approved, and even if they are technically fine, this is no reason why they should offhand be judged to be correct, if their subject is lacking in the principles of reality carried out with no violations.”

Ifs Should Reason Facts Reality Principles Subjects Fine Ought Reason Why No Reason Judged Lacking Violation Approved

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“Noting all these things with the great delight which learning gives, we cannot but be stirred by these discoveries when we reflect upon the influence of them one by one.”

Giving Influence Discovery Delight

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio