‹‹‹ Vitr. 2.3.2 | Table of Contents | Vitr. 2.3.4 ›››
3There are three sorts of bricks; the first is that which the Greeks call Didoron (διδῶρον), being the sort we use; that is, one foot long, and half a foot wide. The two other sorts are used in Grecian buildings; one is called Pentadoron, the other Tetradoron. By the word Doron the Greeks mean a palm, because the word δῶρον signifies a gift which can be borne in the palm of the hand. That sort, therefore, which is five palms each way is called Pentadoron; that of four palms, Tetradoron. The former of these two sorts is used in public buildings, the latter in private.
3There are three kinds of bricks. First, the kind called in Greek Lydian, being that which our people use, a foot and a half long and one foot wide. The other two kinds are used by the Greeks in their buildings. Of these, one is called πεντἁδωρον, the other τετρἁδωρον. Δὡρον is the Greek for “palm,” for in Greek δὡρον means the giving of gifts, and the gift is always presented in the palm of the hand. A brick five palms square is called “pentadoron”; one four palms square “tetradoron.” Public buildings are constructed of πεντἁδωρα, private of τετρἁδωρα.