Architettura con il suo commento et figure Vetruvio in volgar lingua raportato

could deserve the triumph unless, as Valerius Maximus narrates in the second book, saying thus: Certain Captains wished the triumph to be constituted for them after weak battles, to which end, so that it might be corrected, a law was constituted that no one should triumph in a battle where five thousand of the enemies were not killed. The triumph was a most excellent honor according to the decree of the Senate. Diodorus Siculus in the 5th [book] and Pliny in the 7th write that Bacchus was the first who triumphed, bringing from India the spoils of infinite subjugated peoples; from this, others later took the custom. But among the Romans, as Dionysius writes, the first was Romulus when he had defeated Acron, King of the Caeninenses, and consecrated the spolia opima rich spoils of war to Jupiter Feretrius. Others speak of Tarquinius Priscus, but Livy and Plutarch write that the first of all the Romans, Furius Camillus, used four white horses and the gilded chariot in the triumph after the Veientian victory, and for this, he had great envy. But there was nothing more joyous than seeing the triumph; for that Triumpher was adorned with a laurel crown, with a toga and Tunic, with golden palms, sat on an ivory chair in the gilded chariot, and held the ivory wand. But Marius triumphed with an iron ring on his finger to demonstrate ancient humility, and for this, it was granted as a license to the soldiers that they could say to the triumphant one whatever they wanted, even injurious words, as they said of Julius Caesar: "Caesar has subjugated France, but Nicomedes [has subjugated] Caesar." He also had hanging [a pouch] in which were closed the remedies that they called Amulets against envy, as Martial writes. They went to the Capitol with the prisoners chained in front, and various figures and statues of conquered Provinces and Cities with the magnificent prey and infinite treasures and ornaments, and in front went the Senate, and thus in the Capitol they sacrificed the white Bull. There was also the lesser Triumph, called an ovation, because in the joy the letter 'o' is repeated; and this was done in lesser victories that were without blood, or those of slaves or similar, and in this, they were crowned with Myrtle, as the leaves of Venus, just as in the just Triumph [they were crowned] with Laurel, imitating Apollo, who they said used the chariot with four horses in the sky. And thus, therefore, one knew them to be most strong and invincible in virtue. Because 'virtue' is properly said from viro man, that is, a strong man, which signifies strength, or because strength is proper to man. Virgil on this subject says: "Modesty and known virtue suddenly ignite the forces." And therefore, although virtue is that which dominates the vices and rules over them, even though it may be hated by the malignant, nonetheless the free life always remains; which virtue has no need of any private praise, but demonstrates itself by itself. And because it would be too long to narrate in order in what way the triumph was given and done to the most strong victors and great Leaders of the Armed armies, you will read Roberto Valturio in the 12th book of military affairs in Chapters 5 and 6, and in many places you will be able to note of their fortune, which the Romans [found] to be things greatly admirable of wonder. 2 And all the subjugated peoples looked to your NOD, that is, imperial will, that is, tacitly declared with a nod; or frequently they looked to the sign or nod of the head or face, because they feared your Holy Deity. And thus, because that Emperor Caesar Octavian, or rather Augustus, had driven out of their lands and houses all his enemies and those of the Roman Empire: The Citizens, who for such an effect desired dominion and to live well, gloried, [and] gave him the Triumph, that is, the great honor in the world of which we refer to those who have written. 3 And the senate, that is, the congregation of good men, rendered reason for him to all the subjects universal to the Roman Empire. By which thing, seeing themselves having such a glorious emperor, well fortunate and warm with consular prudence, that senate was freed from the fear of the enemies. Then that triumph governed them with the most ample thoughts and counsels. And therefore Vitruvius says, seeing these great things, that he had no audacity to manifest the written books of Architecture that he had made; and his well-clarified and openly understood great thoughts: THOUGHTS, that is, imaginations or rather thought-out things. Fearing that by interrupting at an unsuitable time. This word Vitruvius uses artfully, demonstrating in what way it is convenient to use when wishing to speak to a great Prince; because first, not being so expeditious and intrinsic a family friend of the prince, he should speak with some person who is a grateful family friend of said Prince, and this will be the one who, while speaking, understands "interrupting you," that is, interrupting you; and that he does not let [himself] be presumptuous, but maturely shows he wants an audience, even if he thinks to show a thing that might be grateful to him. And not to enter into offense of the spirit of the Prince. Therefore Vitruvius says interpellans, this verb or participle signifies to interrupt the reasoning with that which another reasons, as Plautus says, "do not interrupt me," that is, do not interrupt my reasoning; it also sometimes signifies to say, according to Lucilius: "how much the first commentator of this Vitruvian work wishes it to signify to interrogate, or rather to call among some, to speak, and by other means to pray." And therefore it is necessary to know how to take the suitable and convenient time when wishing to speak or obtain some grace with some persons, especially with great Princes, although in this place we must take interpellans as interrupting the speaking with others, demonstrating the great cares of Augustus. 4 But since I understood your Majesty to have not only the care of the common life of everyone, and the constitution of the Republic, but also of the opportunity of public buildings, so that the City might not only be increased through provinces, but also that the Majesty of the Empire [should be...].