Discourses on Fortifications

Decorative initial letter I featuring floral and scrollwork motifs.

The discourses that the most illustrious lords, Signor Pompeo Colonna, Duke of Zigarolo, and Signor Prospero his brother, had with me many times concerning the science of fortifying cities and similar places, which they possessed quite well, incited me to write upon those few sheets that were printed in Rome years ago under my name—while I was at the Imperial Court, where I still reside—by someone who perhaps thought to do me a favor. Therefore, finding myself against my will subjected to the judgment of many, I resolved, after having revised them, to have them reprinted by myself with the addition of other small things pertaining to the same subject. This I would have done sooner, and perhaps better, if the troubles of my soul, as well as the indisposition of my body, had granted me a truce for at least a short space of time. And because I find I have been forced to bring to light that which I did only for my own amusement, I believe that any judicious person will be able to understand that the aforementioned discourses were not written by me to establish a rule of fortification, or to criticize any of those who make it their profession; since I sought to find the path that seemed necessary to the knowledge of such an art for no other reason than to satisfy myself, so as not to submit in this particular instance to custom, but to reason. I pray, therefore, everyone who reads these discourses to (if possible) be moved by my intention and compensate for the defect of my limited strength. If my limitations are known to me, and if I have been forced—as I said above—to submit to that which I would reasonably have fled, I hope that by the customary goodness and courtesy of the aforementioned lords, who do this on every due occasion with that just spirit with which they are accustomed to favor the truth, clear proof will be provided.