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Which engineering subjects did Vitruvius cover in De architectura?
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civil engineering
Barge in a lock on the Grand Canal d'Alsace at Marckolsheim, Alsace, France.
In his 10-volume treatise De architectura (On Architecture), the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius covered a comprehensive range of subjects essential to the practice of architecture and engineering in the classical world.12
The work is organized into the following thematic areas:
- General Principles: City planning and architecture in general.1
- Materials and Construction: Building materials and construction methods.12
- Structural Design: Temple construction and the application of the Greek orders.1
- Building Types: The design of public buildings, such as theatres and baths, as well as private buildings.1
- Decoration: Techniques for floors and stucco decoration.1
- Hydraulics: Principles and applications of water systems.12
- Scientific and Technical Applications: Clocks, mensuration (measurement), and astronomy.12
- Engineering: Civil and military engines.1
By documenting these subjects, De architectura serves as a vital historical record of engineering education and practice during the 1st century BCE.12