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

A woodcut depicts a decorative initial letter C.And so with Marcus Aurelius: these were like Architects and, as we said, captains and governors of the artillery. We think this was Marcus Antonius, who succeeded to the name Aurelius for the taking of the city Aurelia, that is, of Aurelia. Publius Minidius, or Numidicus, and Gnaeus Cornelius—this one was a friend of Caesar and was a man most learned in the science of auguries. These were of the house of Cornelia, but Publius Cornelius Nasica, son of Gnaeus Scipio, likewise of the house of Cornelia, was a consular man who triumphed in the second Carthaginian war, and being 17 years of age went into that Carthaginian enterprise, and it was a matter of admiration to be his in those clear deeds, bringing back a very great victory and rewards and triumphant honors. But Publius Scipio was the father of those two Scipios, of whom one, for having won all of Asia, was called Asiaticus. So also was Metellus surnamed, just as Plutarch has narrated of the aforementioned, especially in the life of Marius. But this one who was surnamed Numidicus was the superior Scipio who conquered and saw Hannibal, Emperor of the Carthaginians; this region was called first Numidia, which in their language signifies "wandering." For they had no stable building, but as wanderers and scattered, one here and one there, grazing and living in disorder in those African regions they stayed. Of these, see Strabo, a most grave author; likewise Sallust in the Jugurthine history; likewise Pliny and many other most famous authors.

And so with Marcus Aurelius, and Publius Minidius, and Gnaeus Cornelius, to the preparation of the ballistae and scorpions, and of the other battle instruments, I was ready for their re-assembly, and with them I have had convenience, which, as you gave them to me first, you observed the recognition through the recommendation of your sister. Since, therefore, I was obligated to you for that benefit, and until the end of my life I would not have fear of poverty, I began to write these things to you, because I considered that many things were being built by you, and that at present you build; and similarly, for that rest of the time, and of public and private buildings, for the enlargement of the things done, so that for others in the future the memories might remain, you had to have care. I wrote the determined rules, which by attending to them, and the works done before, and what the future ones are, you may have them notified by yourself. And therefore in these books I have opened all the reasons for this science.

C To the preparation of the BALLISTAE and Scorpions, etc. BALLISTAE: that is, an instrument made to throw or truly cast with it stones of great weight, even if they were 250 pounds, and also to send thick arrows. Whence from this Ballista is derived the name of "arbalest" with which today one shoots. But it is clear that the ballista is the instrument that today is called by the vulgar "briccola." Although in respect to Bombard, and Cannon, and Falconet, Colubrine, and similar artillery, today the Briccola is left aside, still the ingenious and valiant Lord and Captain General of the Signoria of Venice, Bartolomeo d'Alviano, sometimes used it. SCORPIONS: that is, an instrument made to send or throw arrows, which is vulgarly called an arbalest, because according to some, just as the scorpion with a small pull damages and kills a man, so this instrument with a small iron thrown or sent gives similarly much damage. And the others, more and diverse instruments for battle, to their re-assembly I was READY: that is, Vitruvius says he was present and principal with those mentioned, and to have researched and made the orders for the re-assembly of the said war artillery, of which they will be described and illustrated in the tenth book, and especially how he operated it; he will say it in the 10th and 14th chapters. Therefore, to demonstrate his sufficiency, and as it is necessary for every good architect, he has begun to write about that. And with their convenience I had to be held as their tutor and their superior, to whom it is not permitted to give inconveniences, but conveniences: whether of rooms and of life and clothing and horses and salaries and convenient servants as for a governor and provider of such importance as is an excellent architect, as was this Vitruvius. And therefore he has pronounced this to the Emperor, and commends having had the conveniences with them. Which, as you gave them to me first. By this he demonstrates the conveniences and benefits received, being grateful for them, because it is enough for many men to be remunerated for their benefits with praises. You observed the recognition through the recommendation of your sister. Here is understood not only being recognized by the Emperor with good grace of both mind and body, but in this part is understood a certain great promise of firm temporal goods, and perpetual provision of a good salary, which agreed-upon reward and love was reserved in the will of the mind of that Emperor to do those benefits that he seemed to deserve; and this was through the recommendation made by the sister of that Emperor, named Octavia, who intervened to praise Vitruvius. This is Octavia, whom we have said was married to M. Antonius and by whom, because of the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, she was renounced to her own harm. Since, therefore, I was obligated to you for that benefit, and until the end of life I would not have fear of poverty, etc. Vitruvius did as Aristotle says in the first of the Metaphysics.