Buy new:
-32% $12.90
FREE delivery Monday, June 3 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$12.90 with 32 percent savings
List Price: $18.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Monday, June 3 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 8 hrs 30 mins
In Stock
$$12.90 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.90
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$9.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing and moderate wear to edges and cover. This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing and moderate wear to edges and cover. See less
FREE delivery Tuesday, June 4 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Saturday, June 1. Order within 3 hrs 45 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$12.90 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.90
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Vitruvius Pollio
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture (Volume 1) Paperback – June 1, 1960

by Vitruvius (Author), Herbert Langford Warren (Illustrator), Morris Hickey Morgan (Translator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 484 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$12.90","priceAmount":12.90,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"90","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"rYChaCfxKEaJlOZ74fAux3e7p%2FzNqI1UUq4el4Hx1J%2FmT60s0xI0y4VDCSrWMfTb%2FrHRS2%2FqmTEMRO1CF%2Btm5oohR%2BDrarVP0HZqwDN3Q0Hg0upqniq7BjyuVzPF6%2BbvMy3wzGDu3CQ%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.99","priceAmount":9.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"rYChaCfxKEaJlOZ74fAux3e7p%2FzNqI1UiqQqpXG4AKUXBhj8WBi5YohgzSpXotzSJYG3IlknOoyF2En%2BstMrTIDeSDqK%2BPr%2B2hAjf9jc6eRCLE%2FbCc0CTqBr0Lc1hT6DiPjz0cCyug4WPpx4QQlOIGj570yz2G%2FhBcbQ97aswAfYQEXGgQo0sKcBOgN5%2BiVM","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The oldest and most influential book ever written on architecture, this volume describes the classic principles of symmetry, harmony, and proportion and the ancients' methods, materials, and aesthetics.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman architect and engineer flourishing in the first century B.C., was the author of the oldest and most influential work on architecture in existence. For hundreds of years, the specific instructions he gave in his "Ten Books on Architecture" were followed faithfully, and major buildings in all parts of the world reveal the widespread influence of his precepts. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, he was "the chief authority studied by architects, and in every point his precepts were accepted as final. Bramante, Michelangelo, Palladio, Vignola, and earlier were careful students of the work of Vitruvius." His book is thus one of those rare works that have been supremely important in the creation of the greatest art masterpieces.
Vitruvius describes the classic principles of symmetry, harmony, and proportion in architecture; the design of the treasury, prison, senate house, baths, forum, and temples; the construction of the theater: its site, foundations, and acoustics; the proper style and proportion for private dwellings; the differences between the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian styles; methods of giving durability and beauty to polished finishings; and many other topics that help us understand the methods and beliefs of the Roman architect.
It is a direct, authoritative, and detailed introduction to the ancients' methods of construction, the materials of the architect, and the prevailing aesthetic beliefs of the times; but it is also a work of art. Vitruvius wrote in such a fascinating manner and digressed from his subject so often (as, for instance, when he wrote about the winds, Archimedes in his bath, and why authors should receive awards and honors at least as often as athletes) that his book has had a continuing appeal to the general reader for many centuries. Besides being an instructive treatise on nearly everything connected with Roman and Greek architecture, it is an entertaining description of some aspects of the life and beliefs of the times. This edition is the standard English translation, prepared over a period of several years by Professor M. H. Morgan of Harvard University.
 
  • Foundational Text in Architecture: Vitruvius's Ten Books on Architecture is an essential tome that has shaped the field of architecture since its creation in ancient Rome, influencing Bramante, Michelangelo, Palladio, Vignola, and others, and remains relevant today.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Vitruvius's work covers a wide range of topics crucial to architecture, including the importance of symmetry, harmony, the use of building materials, and the role of the environment in architectural design.
  • Historical Insight and Wisdom: This seminal work details architectural techniques and embodies the wisdom of Roman construction and engineering, offering readers a window into the technological and aesthetic considerations of the time.
  • Influence on Art and Culture: Vitruvius's ideas have influenced Renaissance art, mainly through Leonardo da Vinci's iconic concept of the Vitruvian Man, symbolizing the blend of art, science, and philosophy.
  • Timeless Principles: The book’s exploration of harmony, proportion, and balance in building designs continues to inform modern architecture, making it a timeless reference for architects, students, and enthusiasts alike.
  • A Must-Read for Architecture Enthusiasts: The Ten Books on Architecture is a fundamental piece for understanding the roots of architectural practice and serves as a source of inspiration and contemplation for anyone intrigued by the intersection of history, art, and architectural design.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dover Publications
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 1960
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0486206459
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0486206455
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture (Volume 1)
$12.90
Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 3
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Four Books of Architecture (Volume 1) (Dover Architecture)
$33.03
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 4
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Towards a New Architecture (Dover Architecture)
$14.99
Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 3
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Control
Choose items to buy together.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications (June 1, 1960)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486206459
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486206455
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 484 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Vitruvius Pollio

Vitruvius Pollio

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
484 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars Vitruvius The ten books of Architcture
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2010
Verified Purchase
This book is a MUST for every interested mind to understanding the basics and logic to why construction and design is, what it is! Today construction throws logic out the door and is based off of money ... short term return. This book along with Palladio's book, Four Books of Architecture, will be the corner stone of a new chapter in construction and design. Designers, Builders and politicians (who should not be in the mix of decision makers) all talk the talk of "Green", proving to be a farce in many ways. Simple concepts explained and set in these two books prove more "Green" than anything brought up today in this world based off of fade and fashion.

Just make it simple, get these two books into your reading schedule and learn what was forgotten. The thought process becomes clear once taken the time to just sit down and READ!!!

Michael in Charlotte, NC
(previously of FL, previously of NV, previously of CA, previously of DC, previously of PA)
15 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Tony Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic text written two thousand years ago
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
An excellent reference source for archaeologists and students of Roman architecture. Also an interesting look at life as seen by an upper middle class Roman of the first century.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
P. D. Wolfgram
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended text.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
I recommend this book for all architecture students for their early college curriculum. This issue is a value reprint with low quality illustrations of a early 20th century translation. Amazing who many Wikipedia articles refer to this text and the extent of technology developed in the first century and lost and rediscovered over a thousand years later.
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Chrystine Collins-Blums
4.0 out of 5 stars It's a Classic - It's Free - You Can't Go Wrong
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
I took a History of Architecture course. Vitruvius was mentioned (of course). His Ten Books on Architecture are classics. If you have any interest in classic architecture, you need to peruse these texts. If you ever take an architecture class, you will need to peruse these texts. It free for the Kindle - you can't go wrong.

It is a bit laborious to read but that's to be expected. It wasn't written by Stephanie Meyers (or whoever that Twilight author is.)
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Harro
5.0 out of 5 stars All architects and civil engineers should read it
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
I am of the age group that had had rigorous courses through eight years of European "Gimnazium" type high schooling. I found the book very interesting, giving an insight of Roman construction methods and materials. I would have been happier if the book were bilingual.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Shaun Catlin
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book to read about foundation values of classical architecture ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
A wonderful book to read about foundation values of classical architecture and includes many interesting stories and side tangents by the author. I you are studying architecture you need to read this book!
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
John Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have on my bookshelf, at least....
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Well, it's not like I'm going to sit down and read this thing cover to cover but it is fun and occasionally useful to have in arm's reach.
Helpful
 Report
R. de M
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Just an incredible eloquence. If you like the topic you will surely enjoy the book.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Kyle M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Experience
Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Item was as expected and arrived quickly and in good condition. Bought it for a course and it did the job. Thanks!
Report
tusharshivan
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book about Architecture
Reviewed in India on June 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
A must read book. It's for anyone who wants to have a knowledge on how to build great buildings.
It's kind of like liberal art.
Report
Andy Huang
5.0 out of 5 stars all-time classics
Reviewed in Australia on July 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
all time classics for any students of architecture
Report
Clement Dubois 75
4.0 out of 5 stars Un classique
Reviewed in France on August 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
Ne pas posséder ce livre pour quelqu'un qui se dit intéressé par l'Architecture serait comme si un mélomane ne possédait pas quelques oeuvres de Bach. L'ouvrage se passe de mots, puisqu'il s'agit d'une oeuvre de référence. Ce format est vendu à prix démocratique, parce que les ouvrages d'époque valent des fortunes.
Report
MS
5.0 out of 5 stars You will get more than you expect.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
The ten books do very well what they promise to do. They describe the fundamentals of ancient architecture and building practices. During the time between then and now, some of the technical details have been proven to be correct while some have been found to be completely off-track, sometimes very amusing still. This all is something one knows to expect from the book. The extra bonus is that as Vitruvius has been given the means, he takes the liberty to write about whatever he feels the urge to write about. The are numerous pages about general politics, and what I specially enjoyed: a short wondering about why the sportsmen are so much more valued in the society than persons with more useful achievements. Just to give an example of the loose fencing around the subject.
11 people found this helpful
 Report