M. Vitruvius per Iocundum solito castigatior factus cum figuris et tabula ut iam legi et intelligi possit

A large woodcut illustration depicts three female figures standing side-by-side, each wearing a long, pleated gown and a tall, crown-like architectural headpiece (caryatids). They stand on individual pedestals within an architectural frame.

The Laconians Spartans, with Pausanias, son of Agasipolis, as their leader, when they had defeated an infinite number of the army of the Persians in the battle of Plataea, having held a triumph with glory, established a Persian portico from the spoils and booty as a sign of the praise and virtue of the citizens, a trophy for posterity: and there they placed statues of captives in barbaric attire, punished with deserved insults for their pride, supporting the roof: so that both the enemies might shudder in fear at the effects of their bravery, and the citizens, looking upon this example of virtue, might be uplifted by glory and prepared to defend their liberty. Therefore, from that time, many have placed Persian statues supporting architraves and their ornaments: and thus from that argument, they have increased the outstanding varieties of their works.