Chapter V: Part II: Containing the Architecture peculiar to the Ancients (2)

This contains the Explication of the Catapulta, which was a Machine of War used by the Ancients to dart Javelins of an extraordinary bigness. A are the two Beams one against the other, and joyn'd, which after having been drawn, pushed the Javelin with great force when they were unbent. There is one of these Beams, which is represented as being joyned to the Capital of the Machine by an Iron Pin, the other ready to be joyned when the Master of the Machine sounds the Cord with his right Hand, shall have it heightned or let down, the end marked C, as much as is necessary, to give it an equal Bent to the other. This is done by the help of an excentrical piece, which is traversed by a Cylinder, which the Master turns with a Laver, which he holds in his left Hand. D, E E is the Capital of the Catapulta. EE are the holes through which the Rope passeth to draw the Beams. F is the end of one of the Beams represented in great. G is one of the Pins which travers'd a round Eye, by the help of which the Beam is joyned to the Capital. H is the Cylinder which traverses the excentrical piece I. This Plate relates to _pag._ 155.

_Explication of the Hardest Terms in_ Architecture.

A

_Abacus_, from [Greek: abax]; which signifies a square
Trencher: In French it's called _Talloir_; it's that
quadrangular Piece commonly accompanied with a
_Cymatium_, and serves instead of a _Drip_ or _Corona_ to
the Capital. It supports the nether _Face_ of the
_Architrave_ and whole _Trabeation_. In the _Corinthian_
and the _Compound_ Orders, its Corners are called the
_Horns_, the intermediate _Sweep_ and _Curvature_; the
Arch, which has commonly a _Rose_ carved in the middle.

_Acroteria_ or _Acroter's_ from [Greek: akron], _Summa
pars_; they may be properly called _Pinnacles_, for
_Pins_ and _Battlements_ were made sometimes more
towring; but when they stood in _Ranges_ with _Rails_ and
_Balisters_: Upon flat Building they still retained their
Name, with this only difference, that such as were placed
between the _Angular_ Points, were stiled the _Median_,
or middle _Acroteria_.

_Annulets_, are little square Parts turned round in the
_Corinthian Capital_, under the _Quarter-Round_, called
_Echinus_.

_Ante_, is a square Pillaster, which the Ancients placed at
the corners of the Walls of the Temples.

_Amphiprostyle_ from [Greek: amphi], _Circa_, and [Greek:
stylos]; _Columna_ was a sort of a Temple which had four
Columns in the Front of the Temple, and four in the Face
behind.

_Architrave_, from a Mungril Compound of two Languages,
[Greek: arche] _Principalis_, and _Trabs_; it's the first
Member of that which we call _Entablature_; in Chimnies
the _Architrave_ is the _mantle_; over the _Jambs_ of the
Doors and Lintels of Windows, it's called the
_Hyperthron_, from the Greek [Greek: hyper], _super_ and
[Greek: thyra], _Janua_ or _Ostium_.

_Astragal_, from the Greek word [Greek: astragalos] which
signifies the _Vertebrae_, or little Joints in the Neck or
Heel; hence the French call it _Talon_, or the Heel
itself: It's a Member of _Architecture_ joyned to
_Bases_, _Cornices_, _Architraves_, _&c._ it's round like
a Ring, and therefore it's called by the Italians
_Tondino_.

_Attiq;_ signifies after the manner of the City of _Athens_.
In _Vitruvius_ it's the Name of the _Basis_ which the
Moderns have given to the _Dorick_ Pillar. We call
_Attiq;_ in our Buildings, a little Order placed upon
another much greater; for instead of Pillars, this little
Order has commonly nothing but Pillasters of a particular
Fashion and Order, which we call _Attiq;_

_Apophyges_, vide _Conge_.

B

_Basilica_, from the Greek word [Greek: Basileus] _Rex_ or
King among the Ancients. It was a great Hall which had
two Ranges of Pillars, and had two Isles or Wings, upon
which were Galleries: These Halls, which at first were
made for the Palaces of Kings, were afterwards turned
into Courts of Justice, and after that into Churches;
which Form has always been observed.

_Ballustre_ is the lateral part of the _Jonick_ Capital. Our
Workmen have given it that name, because it somewhat
resembles a _Balluster_.

C

_Chanel_, in the _Ionick_ Capital, is that part which is
under the _Abacus_, and lies upon _Echinus_ or Egg, and
which has its _Contours_ or Turnings on every side to
make the Voluta's.

_Cariatides_ are Statues of Women, which serve instead of
Pillars.

_Cincture_ is that part which makes the middle of the
_Ballustre_ of the _Ionick Voluta_.

_Conge_ in French, in Latin _Apophyges_, from the Greek word
[Greek: apophyge] because that part of the Pillar taking
as it were a rise, seems to emerge and fly from the
_Basis_ like the _Proceltus_ of a Bone in a mans Leg, In
short, it's no more than the _Rings_ or _Ferils_
heretofore used at the Extremities of wooden Pillars, to
preserve them from splitting, afterwards imitated in
Stone-work.

_Corona_ is properly that part of the Cornice which the
French call _Larmer_ or _Drip_, because it defends the
rest of the Work from Wind and Weather: It is often taken
by _Vitruvius_ for all the Cornice.

_Corona_, called the _Plat_ or _flat Crown_, is a particular
Member in the _Dorick_ Gate; it's made by so
extraordinary enlargement of the _Face_ of the _Corona_
or _Drip_, that it has six times more Breadth than
Projecture. This sort of _Corona_ is no where found among
the Ancients, but only in the Writings of _Vitruvius_.

_Cymatium_, from [Greek: kymaton], which signifies a rouling
_Wave_; is a Member of Architecture, of which the one
half is _Convex_ and the other _Concave_, the one being
hollow above, and the other below. There are two sorts of
them, the one called the _Gola_ or _Throats_, or the
_Doucine_, whose advanced part is _Concave_; and the
other is called by the French the _Talon_ or Heel, whose
advanced part is hollow below, as the first is above.

D

_Die_ is the middle of the Pedestals, _viz._ that which is
between their _Basis_ and their _Cornice_. It's so
called, because it's for the most part of a Cubit form,
as _Die's_ are that are used in play.

_Dentils_, or Teeth, is a Member of the _Jonick_ Cornice,
which is square, and cut out at convenient distances,
which gives it the form of a Set or Gang of Teeth.

_Diastyle_, from [Greek: dia] and [Greek: stylos]: _Columna_
is a sort of Edifice where the Pillars are distanced one
from another the breadth of 3 Diameters of the Pillar.

_Diptere_, from [Greek: dis] and [Greek: pteron]: _Ala_
signifies that which has a double Isle or Wing; the
Ancients called so the Temples, which were surrounded
with two Ranges of Pillars, for there two _Ranges_ made
two _Portico's_, which they called _Wings_, we _Isles_,
from the French word _Ailes_, which signifies _Wings_,
because as Wings are on the sides of Birds, so these of
Edifices.

E

_Echinus_, from [Greek: apo tou echinou] a _Hedg-hog_; it is
a Member of Architecture, which we call a
_Quarter-round_; it has its name from the roughness of
its Carving, resembling the prickly Rhind of the Chesnut,
and not unlike the Hedg-hog; it's commonly next to the
_Abacus_, and carved with Ovals and Darts, sometimes
called Eggs and Anchors, because these pretended Chesnuts
are cut in an Oval form.

_Entablature_ signifies properly the Flooring or Lofting
with Boards; it comes from the Latin word _Tabulatum_. In
Architecture it's that part which is composed of the
_Architrave_, _Frise_, and _Cornice_, for in effect this
part is the extream part of the Flooring, which is
supported by Pillars, or by a Wall if it have no Pillars.

_Eye_ is the middle of the _Jonick_ Volute, which is cut in
the form of a little Rose.

_Eurythmie_, from [Greek: eu] _bene_, and [Greek: arithmos]
_numera_: it signifies Proportion; it's taken in its
general signification in _Architecture_; for in its
particular signification it signifies the true measure
that is observed in Dancing after Musick.

_Eustyle_, from [Greek: _eu_] _bene_, and [Greek: stylos] a
_Pillar_; its the Order where Pillars are rightly
placed, the Intercolumniations being two Diameters and a
quarter.

F

_Face_ is a Member of Architecture, which has a great
Breadth and a small Projecture; it's in _Architraves_.

_Filet_ is a little square streight Member.

_Fresco_, and to paint in _Fresco_ or _Freth_, is an Italian
Phrase, and it signifies the Painting which is made upon
the Plaistering before it be dry.

_Frise_ is that part which is between the _Architrave_ and
the _Cornice_.

G

_Gnomonick_ is the Art of making Sun-dials; it's derived
from the Greek [Greek: gnomon], which signifies that
which shews a thing, as the Cock or Pin of the Dyal shews
what a clock it is.

_Gorge_, or the _Gule_ or _Neck_, is the narrowest part of
the _Dorick Capital_, which is between the _Astragal_, above
the Shaft of the Pillar and the Annulets.

_Gutte_, or _Drops_, are little parts, which to the number
of six are put below every _Triglyph_ in the _Architrave_
of the _Dorick Order_.

H

_Hydraulick_, from the Greek [Greek: hydor]; which signifies
Water, is an Engine that plays by the help of Water,
especially where there are Pipes and Flutes.

_Hypethre_, from [Greek: hyposuo], and [Greek: aither]
aether; signifies a Building whose inside is exposed to
the Rain and open Air. The Ancients called so all Temples
that had no Roof.

_Hyperthyron_, for [Greek: hyper] _super_, and [Greek:
thyra] _Janua_, a Gate or Door: It signifies that which
is above the Gate; it's a large Table, which is upon the
_Dorick_ Gates in the manner of a _Frise_.

I

_Ichnographie_, from [Greek: iknos] _vestigium_, and [Greek:
grapha] _Scribo_, or _Insculpo_; which properly
signifies the Figure that the Plane of the Foot
impresses upon the Earth. By it in Architecture is
understood that which is commonly called the _Plan_ of
the _Edifice_.

L

_Lacuner_, or Platfond, is the _Flooring_ or _Planching_
above the _Portico's_.

_Laconicum_ was a dry Stove to sweat in: It was so called,
because it was much used by the _Lacedemonians_.

_Larmier_ or _Drip_, vide _Corona_.

M

_Metope_, from [Greek: meti] and [Greek: hope], _foramen_,
_intervallum_. Signifies the Front; it's the Name of the
empty spaces in _Freeze_ of the _Dorick Order_, between
the Triglyphs.

_Modillion_ signifies in _Italian_ a little Model, a little
Measure: It's that part which is so often repeated in the
_Corinthian_ and _Compound Cornice_, which supports the
Projecture of the _Larmier_ or _Drip_. This part is
called the little _Model_ in respect of the great Model,
which is the Diameter of the Pillar; for as the
Proportion of an Edifice depends on the _Diameter_ of the
_Pillar_, so the greatness of the Modellians, their
number, and their space or distances, must have a just
Proportion or true Relation to the whole Fabrick.

_Module_ or _Model_ is a measure that is made use of to
regulate all the Proportion of the _Fabrick_: In the
_Dorick Order_ it's half the _Diameter_ of the Pillar; in
other Orders the Module is the whole _Diameter_.

_Monoptere_, from [Greek: monos] _solus_, and [Greek:
pteron] _ala_; is that which has but one Wing or Isle; it
was a sort of a round Temple, whose Roof was supported by
Pillars only.

_Mutuli_, from [Greek: mytilos], which signifies defect, as
being made thinner, and more abated above than below.
It's a sort of a Modellion in the Cornice of the _Dorick_
Order.

N

_Noyan_ is the middle part of the Flooring of the Ancients.
They made it with Ciment, which they put betwixt a Lay or
Bed of Pibbles, cimented with Mortar made of Lime and Sand.

O

_Orchestra_, from [Greek: orcheomai] _salto_; signified the
place where they danced; it was the lowest place in the
Theatre, which was between the _scene_, _viz._ the place
where the Players acted, and the Seats where the Spectators
sate. It was in this place where the Greek Comedians were
wont to dance.

_Order_, those Fabricks are said to be of different Orders,
when the Proportion which is between the thickness of the
_Pillars_ and their height, with all other things which are
required to this Proportion, are different.

_Ornaments_, _Vitruvius_ so calls the _Architrave_, _Frise_,
and _Cornice_.

_Oval_, vide _Echinus_.

P

_Parascenium_, from [Greek: para] and [Greek: skene]
_tentonum_, is the back part of the Theatre or Scene.

_Periptere_, from [Greek: peri] _circum_, and [Greek:
pteron] _ala_, which has a Wing round about. This was a sort
of a Temple, which had Pillars on all the four Parts, which
was different from the _Prostyle_, which had only Pillars
before, or In the _Front_, and from the _Amphiprostyle_,
which had only Pillars before and behind, and none on the
sides.

_Peristyle_, from [Greek: peri] _circum_, and [Greek:
stylos] _columna_; signifies that which has Pillars round
about: It differs from the _Periptere_ in this, that the
Pillars of the _Peristyle_ are within, as it were round
about a Court, and those of the _Periptere_ are without, as
in the Temples of the Ancients.

_Pedestal_, is that part which supports the Pillar.

_Pied-droit_ is a square Pillar, which is in part within the
Wall.

_Pillaster_ is the same, with this Difference; that the
Pillaster has a _Base_ and a _Capital_, as a _Pillar_ hath,
which the _Pied-droit_ has not.

_Platt-band_ is a square Member, which terminates the
_Architrave_ of the _Dorick Order_, and passes immediately
under the Triglyphs.

_Plinthus_ signifies a Brick or square Tile. It's in
Architecture taken for that square Member which makes the
Foundation of the Base of the Pillar.

_Posticum_ is the back Gate of a Fabrick.

_Portico_ is a long place covered with a Floor or Flatfond,
supported by Pillars.

_Proscenium_, from [Greek: pro] and [Greek: skenine]
_tentorium_; it signifies the forepart of the Scene; it was
an Edifice as high as the last Portico of the Theatre, whose
Face or Front was adorned with many Ranges of Pillars.

_Prostyle_ from [Greek: pro] and [Greek: stylos], signifies
that which has Pillars before only. This was one sort of the
Temples of the Ancients.

_Pseudodiptere_, [Greek: pseudes] _mendax_, [Greek: dis]
_bis_, and [Greek: pteron] _ala_; signifies a _false
Diptere_. This was a kind of a Temple among the Ancients,
which had _Porticoes_ round about, which were every one as
large as the double _Portico_ of the _Diptere_.

_Pseudoperiptere_, from [Greek: pseudes] _mendax_, and
[Greek: peri], and [Greek: pteron] _ala_, was a sort of a
Temple, where the Side-Pillars were part in the Wall of the
inner side of the Temple, which was enlarged sufficiently to
enclose within the space which was allowed the Porticoes of
the Periptere.

_Pulpit_ was the place upon which the Comedians acted, which
we now call the Stage.

_Picnostyle_, from [Greek: pyknos] _dentus_, and [Greek:
stylos] _columna_; signifies a Building where the Pillars
were very close one to another; so that the
_Intercolumniation_ had but a _Diameter_ and a half of the
Pillar.

R

_Rudus_ was a sort of gross Mortar, which was made use of
for smoothing, and equally filling and levelling the
Superfices of the Walls, before the fine Plaister was laid
on: It was likewise made use of for the second _Bed_ or
_Lay_ of the Flooring.

S

_Scene_ signifies a Tabernacle, Tent, or Pavillion, from the
Greek [Greek: skene]. It was in the Theatre of the
Ancients a great _Face_ or Front of Building, adjoyned
with Pillars and Statues, which had three great Openings,
in which were Pictures in Perspective, which represented
the Lodgings where the Tragedians and Comedians dwelt.

_Sabliere_ is a piece of Wood as long as a Beam, but not so
thick.

_Scotia_, from [Greek: skotos] _tenebrae_, _Darkness_, is a
Member of Architecture, hollowed as a Demi-channel: It's
particularly affected in the Bases where it's placed,
between the Torus and the Astragals; it's sometimes put
under the _Drip_, in the Cornice of the _Dorick_ Order.

_Statumen_ signifies generally whatsoever is made use of to
support any thing in Architecture; it is Mortar mixt with
Pibbles, which served for the first Lay or Bed in
Flooring.

_Systyle_, from [Greek: syn] _con_, and [Greek: stylos]
_columna_; signifies building where the Pillars seem to
be joyned together, for the _Intercolumniation_ is but of
two Diameters of the Pillars.

T

_Torus_ is a Member in the Base which is round, in the form
of a great Ring; it comes from the Latin word _Torus_,
which signifies a Bed.

_Tringle_ is a little square Member, which is directly upon
every _Triglyph_, under the Platt-band of the
_Architrave_, from whence hang down the _Guttae_, or
pendant Drops in the _Dorick Order_.

_Triglyph_, from [Greek: tris] _ter_, and [Greek: glyphos]
_sculptura_; because it's divided into three parts, and
engraved, it is a Member in the Freeze of the Dorick
Order, directly upon every Pillar, and in certain spaces
in the _Intercolumniations_.

_Tympan_ signifies a Drum; it's that part of the bottom of
the Frontons which answers the naked of the Freeze; it is
triangular, and placed upon the Cornice of the
Entablature, and covered over again with two other
Cornices which slope a little.

V

_Volute_ signifies wreathed, and turned about from
_Volvendo_; it's a part of the Capitals of the _Ionick_,
_Corinthian_, and _Compound Orders_, which represents the
bark of a Tree twisted and turned into a Spiral line.

X

_Xyste_, from the Greek [Greek: zytos], which signifies
scraped; it was the place where the Wrestlers exercised;
it was so called because they made their skins be scraped
and rubbed smooth, to make the Sweat fall, and to make
their Bodies more slippery, that their Adversaries might
have the less hold of them when they closed.

To the Reader.

_Abridgments of_ Vitruvius _have been formerly printed, but
none of them have followed the design which_ Philebert de
l'Orme _has given in his Third Book: He desires that in
abridging_ Vitruvius _the matters which this Author treats
of confusedly should be put into order, and that the things
belonging to the same Subject, which are found dispersed in
divers places, should be collected together into one
Chapter. This Method, which the most part of the eminent
Writers have neglected, has been carefully observed in this
Treatise, it serving very much to the better apprehending
and retaining the things treated of. We have been exact to
put in nothing that is not taken out of_ Vitruvius, _to
which end the_ Book _and_ Chapter _of his Works_ are _all
along quoted in the Margin; nothing being added, but some
few lines here and there, to continue the Discourse, and
render it more clear: Notwithstanding which precautions,
some things may possibly still remain obscure, in which case
the Reader must have Recourse to the whole Works of_
Vitruvius, _where he will find all necessary Explanation._

_This little Treatise is not only necessary for those who
begin the study of Architecture, but will be also of great
use to even Masters themselves; for it is not to be doubted,
that_ Vitruvius _being so great a Master in this Art, his
Authority, together with that of all the Ancients, which is
included in his Works, must be capable of instructing the_
Apprentices, _and confirming the Masters, and thereby
establish the good Maxims and certain Rules of
Architecture._

_Advertisement concerning this Translation._

This Abridgment having been very well received in French, we
have ventured to put it in English, and doubt not but it
will be as acceptable to our Nation, who are allowed to be
as competent Judges of this Art as any. The Translation is
very exact; the Cutts altogether as well, if not better,
than in the French; and in the Table of the Explication of
the Terms used in Architecture, we have added the Etymology
and Derivation of them, which is not in the French.