Vitruvius, however, was not only a writer on architecture, but a professional architect as well, who resided in Rome about a century earlier than Pausanias, or in the time of Augustus. He is practically the only writer of his time who has given us technical information concerning the ancient buildings. Vitruvius wrote his treatises upon architecture at a very advanced age, and, it would appear, much in defence of the pure Greek models which were even in that time being corrupted. The frankness with which he hopes for fame by reason of his book, and exposes his poverty as well as the unprofessional practices of his brother architects, is not the least attractive feature of his discourse: “But I, Cæsar,” he exclaims, “have not sought to amass wealth by the practice of my art, having been contented with a small fortune and reputation, than desirous of abundance accompanied by a want of reputation. It is true I have acquired but little, yet I still hope, by this publication, to become known to posterity. Neither is it wonderful that I am known to but few. Other architects canvass and go about soliciting employment, but my preceptors instilled into me a sense of the propriety of being requested and not of requesting to be entrusted, inasmuch the ingenuous man will blush and feel shame in asking a favour; for the givers of a favour, and not the receivers, are courted. What must he suspect who is solicited by another to be entrusted with the expenditure of his money, but that it is done for the sake of gain and emolument? Hence, the ancients entrusted their works to those architects only who were of good family, and well brought up, thinking it better to trust the modest than the bold and arrogant man. These artists only instructed their own children or relations, having regard to their integrity, so that property might be safely committed to their charge. When, therefore, I see this noble science in the hands of the unlearned and unskilful of men, not only ignorant of architecture, but of everything relative to buildings, I cannot blame proprietors who, relying on their own intelligence, are their own architects; since, if the business is to be conducted by the unskilful, there is at least more satisfaction in laying out money at one’s own pleasure rather than at that of another person.” Vitruvius also epitomized in his books on architecture much that had been written prior to his time by his professional brethren of Greece and Rome, and so preserved something of what otherwise might have been entirely lost. Allusion has been made to these two writers with some particularity, for the reason that they will be more quoted than any others in the course of this volume, but it must not be inferred that they are alone responsible for all the knowledge which has come down to us respecting the Greek and Roman architects, little and unsatisfactory as it is.