第135页 Notes on the Literature of Classical Architecture

Classical architecture has always, even in ancient times, depended on precedents and, therefore, on written treatises. Vitruvius himself declared his indebtedness to ancient authors and the classicism of the modern world has been to a great extent dependent on Vitruvius. Editions of his work, therefore, take precedence in any review of the literature of classical architecture. Next to Vitruvius, the treatises of 16th century Italy are of the greatest consequence; the are followed by the treatises of other nations which invariably refer back both to Vitruvius and to the Italians. 

Vitruvius
The only Roman writer on architecture whose work survivied to be copied and recopied throught the Middle Ages. The oldest existing manuscript is in the British Museum (Harl.2767); it belongs to the 8th century and was probably written at Jarrow. THere are sixteen later medieval manuscripts in various European libraries. The first printed text appeared in Rome about 1486. The next editions were those of Fra Giocondo and Philander. Of great importance were the illustrated translations by Cesariano (Como, 1521) and Daniele Barbaro (Venice, 1567; with illustrations by Palladio). From the 16th century onwards there are translations, paraphrases and commentaries in nearly every European language. A good modern text translation is that by Frank Granger for the Loeb Classical Library. And now, Ten books on architecture, translation by Ingrid D. Rowland ; commentary and illustrations by Thomas Noble Howe ; with additional commentary by Ingrid D. Rowland and Michael J. Dewar.

Italian Treatises

Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472)'s treatise, was presented in manuscript in 1452, first printed in Latin in Florence, 1485. The first Italian translation appeared in Venice in 1546 and first illustrated edition in 1550. In England, the translation appeared in 1726.

Alberti's treatise, although making exhaustive use of Vitruvius, is a great original work setting forth the principles of architecture in the light of the author's own philosophy and of his analysis of Roman buildings. It profoundly influenced all subsequent Italian theory.