THE

AKCHITECTUBE

OF

MARCUS VITRUVIUS POLLIO.

BOOK THE SECOND.

INTRODUCTION.

Dinockates the architect, relying on the powers of hisskill and ingenuity, whilst Alexander was in the midst ofhis conquests, set out from Macedonia to the army, de-sirous of gaining the commendation of his sovereign.That his introduction to the royal presence might he fa-cilitated, he obtained letters from his countrymen andrelations to men of the first rank and nobility about theking’s person; by whom being kindly received, he be-sought them to take the earliest opportunity of accom-plishing his wish. They promised fairly, but were slowin performing; waiting, as they alleged, for a properoccasion. Thinking, however, they deferred this withoutjust grounds, he took his own course for the object hehad in view. He was, I should state, a man of tallstature, pleasing countenance, and altogether of dignifiedappearance. Trusting to the gifts with which naturehad thus endowed him, he put off his ordinary clothing,and having anointed himself with oil, crowned his headwith a wreath of poplar, slung a lion’s skin across hisleft shoulder, and carrying a large club in his right hand,he sallied forth to the royal tribunal, at a period when