Vitruvius was an Ancient Roman architect, engineer and writer that lived in the mid- to late-first century BCE. He is known to modernity only by his nomen gentilicium, or clan name; although many scholars have speculated as to his identity, no conclusive findings have been made.[1] In his only written work he claimed that he was an old man at the time of its publication, but no other indications of his birth or death are made. Vitruvius served both Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE) and Augustus Caesar (63 BCE – 14 CE) as a siege engineer. From his writings, it is clear that he had a strong education and plenty of leisure time in which to write, as well as the ability to travel and see building types across the Roman Empire. [2]
The colophon page of De Architectura is ornamented with a large, architectural structure.