VITRUVIUS

INTRODUCTION

 Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

(born 80-70 BC, died after
15 BC), was a roman
author, architect and civil
engineer during the 1st
century BC from Formia,
Italy.
 He is mostly known for his
multi-volume work ‘De
Architectura’.
A 1684 depiction of Vitruvius presenting De
Architectura to Augustus
 LIFE AND CAREER
 He served as an artilleryman
in the military offices.
 Likely, born a free Roman
citizen, Vitruvius served the
Roman army under Ceaser.
 As an army engineer he
specialized in the
construction of ballista and
scorpio artillery war
machines for sieges.
 His service likely included
North Africa, Hispania, Gaul
and Pontus.
 VITRUVIAN MAN
 This is a drawing done by
Leonardo Da Vinci based
on Vitruvius’s notes around
1490.
 It is done in pen and ink on
paper.
 Dimensions :
34.4cmx25.5cm(13.5in x
10in)
 It is kept in the Gallerie
dell’Accademia in Venice,
Italy.
AS AN ARCHITECT

 Vitruvius was one of the very first architects.

 He is often credited as the father of architectural acoustics
for describing the technique of echeas (literally ’echoer’)
placement in theaters.
 The only building that he is known to have worked on is a
basilica built at Fanum Fortunae , now the modern town of
Fano.
 This basilica has disappeared so completely that its very
site is a matter of conjecture.
Two most famous examples of the reconstruction of
the basilica
DE ARCHITECTURA

 De Architectura or The Ten books on Architecture was

written by Vitruvius, dedicated to the emperor Augustus.
 This book was influenced deeply by artists, artisans and
thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
 Vitruvian virtues or the Vitruvian triad: A structure must be
solid, useful and beautiful.
 This book was a major inspiration for Renaissance, Baroque
and Neoclassical architecture.
 This book mentions:
 Machines
 Aqueducts
 Materials
 Dewatering machines
 Surveying instruments
 Central heating
THANK YOU

 BY ANJANA
ALPHY
JISHNA
DIVYA ROSE