An Abridgment of the Architecture of Vitruvius / Containing a System of the Whole Works of that Author

by Vitruvius Pollio

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Figures inserted here are those only which are chiefly necessary to the understanding of Vitruvius, that is to say, those which serve for the comprehending the Rules that Architecture gives for Buildings, now in use. The Figures of other things, of which Vitruvius treats, are omitted, it being enough to give One only, to serve as an Example of each kind, viz. one for all Temples, one for all Theatres, and one for all Machines.

THE
EXPLICATION
Of the First Table.

This Table contains the seven several sorts of Masonry; A is the first, which was called Reticulatum, because it was like the Mashes of Nets; BB is the second, it’s called Insertum, that is to say, bound Masonry, because the Stones are one bound within another, every one being bound with four, two below, and two above: CC is the third sort, which was particular to the Greeks; it may be called double binding, for it’s not only of Stones of the same course, but of two courses III. D is the fourth, called Isodomum, because the Beds or Lays are equal in height. E is the fifth, called Pseudisodomum, because they are of an equal heighth. FF, GG, H is the sixth, called Emplecton, because it was filled up any way in the middle. FF are the Stones which make the Courses. K is the seventh, which may be called Compound, because its Courses are of hewn Stone, and the middle filled up with Rubbish; and these Courses are fasten'd together with Cramp-irons.

This Table refers to pag. [47.]

THE
EXPLICATION
Of the second Table.

This Table contains the five sorts of Edifices: AA is the Pycnostyle; that is to say, where the Pillars are very close, the Intercolumniation being but of one Diameter, and a half of the Column: BB is the Systyle, viz. where the Pillars have two Diameters of Intercolumniation: CC is the Diastyle, viz. where the Pillars are at that distance, that they have for the Intercolumniation three Diameters: DD is the Areostyle, where the Pillars are far asunder. There is no certain Proportion; we have given in this Figure four Diameters of Intercolumniation, it may have more: The fifth sort called Eustyle, is in the third Table.

This Table refers to pag. [80.]