Written during the time of Augustus, "On Architecture" is the only work of its kind from the ancient world that has survived through the ages. In this work, which has influenced the evolution of Western science and the art of construction more than any other, an entire civilization is captured.

The thoughts of Aristotle and Hippocrates, Poseidonius and Varro, Archimedes and Hermogenes weave the canvas upon which Vitruvius develops his theory on the layout of cities and the properties of the earth of Thera, provides instructions for the carving of the Ionic capital and foundations on marshy ground, and describes the odometer and the winch.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]