For the first time in more than half a century, Vitruvius' Ten Books on Architecture is being published in English. The only full treatise on architecture and its related arts to survive from classical antiquity, the Architecture libri decem (Ten Books on Architecture) is the single most important work of architectural history in the Western world, having shaped architecture and the image of the architect from the Renaissance to the present. Demonstrating the range of Vitruvius' style, this new edition includes examples from archaeological sites discovered since World War II and not previously published in English language translations. Rowland's new translation and Howe's critical commentary and illustrations provide a new image of Vitruvius, who emerges as an inventive and creative thinker, rather than the normative summarizer, as he was characterized in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Ingrid D. Rowland is an associate professor of Art History at the University of Chicago. Thomas Noble Howe is a professor in the Department of Art at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.
The new edition of the only architectural treatise from antiquity demonstrates the range of Vitruvius' style and includes examples from archeological sites discovered since World War II and not previously published in English language translations. 110 diagrams.
"A great reference book about all of the classical orders of architecture" House and Garden
"This book makes the Renaissance enthusiasm for Vitruvius understandable again, and it is an indispensable starting point for future work on him." Garry Wills, Preservation
"In this new translation of Vitruvius, accompanied by a lengthy commentary aand numerous translations, Rowland and Howe have done a valuable service to Vitruvian studies. Both commentary and the illustrations are treasure troves of information...It is an ambitious project well executed, and has a great deal to offer those interested in Vitruvius, Roman architecture, and the history of architecture at whatever stage of their studies." Classical World