‹‹‹ Vitr. 6.7.6 | Table of Contents | Vitr. 6.8.1 ›››
7I mention these things, not to induce persons to change the names at this period, but that they may be known to philologists. I have explained the different arrangement of buildings after the practice of the Italians, as well as that of the Greeks, by giving the proportions and divisions of each; and, as we have already laid down the principles of beauty and propriety, we shall now consider the subject of strength, by which a building may be without defects, and durable.
7All this, however, I have not set forth for the purpose of changing the usual terminology or language, but I have thought that it should be explained so that it may be known to scholars.
I have now explained the usual ways of planning houses both in the Italian fashion and according to the practices of the Greeks, and have described, with regard to their symmetry, the proportions of the different classes. Having, therefore, already written of their beauty and propriety, I shall next explain, with reference to durability, how they may be built to last to a great age without defects.