THE

ARCHITECTURE

OF

MARCUS VITRUVIUS POLLIO.

BOOK THE TENTH.

INTRODUCTION.

In the magnificent and spacious Grecian city of Ephesusan ancient law was made by the ancestors of the in-habitants, hard indeed in its nature, hut neverthelessequitable. When an architect was entrusted with theexecution of a public work, an estimate thereof beinglodged in the hands of a magistrate, his property washeld, as security, until the work was finished. If, whenfinished, the expense did not exceed the estimate, he wascomplimented with decrees and honours. So when theexcess did not amount to more than a fourth part of theoriginal estimate, it was defrayed by the public, and nopunishment was inflicted. But when more than one-fourth of the estimate was exceeded, he was required topay the excess out of his own pocket. Would to Godthat such a law existed among the Roman people, notonly in respect of their public, but also of their privatebuildings, for then the unskilful could not commit theirdepredations with impunity, and those who were themost skilful in the intricacies of the art would followthe profession. Proprietors would not be led into an