Ten Books on Architecture (De Architectura)

one may see from the work itself. For he lacked both the sharpness of wit and the knowledge of many things necessary to illustrate this author: therefore, there is nothing in it to praise except the figures, which, even if they were not drawn according to the ancient genius nor everywhere to the mind of Vitruvius, he nevertheless depicted excellently and with graphic skill. Io. Baptista Caporalis Perusinus Giovanni Battista Caporali of Perugia took up the work from him, himself also unlearned, as is easily recognized from the five books he published translated into Italian. Some other men of the same note also undertook the same work with the same lack of success: among whom were Bonus Maurus, Augustinus Gallus, and Aloysius Pirovanus. But among those who rendered distinguished service to Vitruvius was Hermolaus Barbarus, who indeed, being among the first to shine with the light of talent and doctrine—having already corrected Pliny and Mela—also lent his pen and diligent labor to this author. He was succeeded by Adrianus Turnebus and Guilielmus Philander, both Gauls, and likewise distinguished for their learning and erudition: of whom Turnebus, in his books of Adversaria, either corrected or most lucidly explained the Vitruvian codex in six hundred places. By far the most learned, however, was Philander, who surpassed almost all others by publishing most erudite commentaries. After these, the latest of all was Daniel Barbarus, who accomplished the same, not without the highest praise for his excellent talent; although there are some who claim that he was wordy in clear matters, and dry and barren in obscure ones. But to return to Vitruvius, it is evident that he loved brevity in writing; why he did so, he teaches himself in the preface to the fifth book, writing thus:

Since, therefore, those [technical architectural terms of which he speaks] are not clear by themselves, nor are their names obvious in common usage, and also since the writings of the teachers wander widely—if they are not contracted and explained in few and very clear sentences, the frequency and multitude of speech causing impediment—they will make the thoughts of the readers uncertain. Therefore, I will explain briefly, declaring the hidden names and measures from the members of the works, so that they may be committed to memory. For thus, minds will be able to receive them more readily. No less, when I had noticed the city to be stretched by occupations in public and private business, I judged that I should write in few words, so that those reading them in a narrow space of leisure might perceive them briefly.